Sam Konstas is part of a 12-player squad named by NSW selectors to play the round seven Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the GABBA, starting on Saturday (8/2).
This is the first Shield round following the mid-season BBL break, with the Blues sitting in third place on a congested ladder on 24.2 points, two spots ahead of Queensland (19.31). South Australia (29.93) leads the way from Victoria (28.06).
For the full standings and all matches, click here.
Nic Maddinson, Liam Hatcher, Hanno Jacobs and Ross Pawson are additions to the squad that defeated Western Australia by an innings and 68 runs in December. Ryan Hadley (injured), Tanveer Sangha (Australian team duties), Blake Nikitaras and Lachlan Shaw drop out of that team.
Jacobs and Pawson are the potential debutants in the squad, while Jack Edwards will again captain the team.
Maddinson returned to action yesterday in the One Day Cup match against Tasmania after a two month layoff after surgery on an injured finger in December.
Veteran seamer Jackson Bird, who at 38 years of age is currently leading the competition's wicket takers list for the summer with 22, has also been included. Bird has 396 career Sheffield Shield wickets, fifth on the all-time list.
Meanwhile, Konstas, who made his Test debut on Boxing Day after a brilliant start to the season, has been released by Australian team management in Sri Lanka.
The teenage prodigy was not selected for the first Test and Cricket Australia officials decided that he would be better served back in the Sheffield Shield competition than spectating in Galle.
Konstas will be a key member of the Blues’ top order alongside Maddinson and a resurgent Kurtis Patterson, the form batter in men’s domestic cricket.
Cricket NSW Chief of Cricket Performance, Greg Mail, praised the move to send Konstas home from Sri Lanka.
“Having Sam back is a boost for NSW but also a smart move from George Bailey and the National Selection Panel considering what is best for Sam and Australian Cricket in the long term.”
The match is free to attend for spectators and can also be seen live on Kayo and cricket.com.au.
Sheffield Shield: NSW Blues vs Queensland – 11am (AEDT) on Saturday 8/2-Tuesday 11/2 at the GABBA:
Jackson Bird, Ollie Davies, Jack Edwards ©, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Kurtis Patterson, Ross Pawson, Josh Philippe