Steve Smith, Mitch Starc named for NSW to play Victoria

More than a quarter of the Australian Test team, and a few hopefuls, will be in action at the MCG this weekend in a blockbuster domestic clash.

Steve Smith and Mitch Starc have been included in the NSW side for a star-studded Sheffield Shield showdown with Victoria at the MCG in what looms as a Test audition for as many as four other players who are “in the mix” to fill the hole left by Cameron Green for the series against India.

It will be the first Shield game for Smith since the summer of 2019/20, while Starc’s most recent first-class outing was in the final of the 2020/21 season that NSW lost.

Having decided he doesn’t want to be an opening batter anymore, Smith will get to challenge himself against the likes of Scott Boland from Sunday in the first of what could be at least two Shield games before the Test series.

Starc, too, will play his first matches since the white-ball tour of England as part of a managed preparation for all the Australian fast bowlers, a program that gave Boland a rest in the opening fixture for the Vics.

Mitchell Starc playing for NSW in 2020. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Rising star Sam Konstas, coming off back-to-back centuries that warranted him a call-up for the Australia A team, could further enhance his credentials to fill the specialist opener spot national selection chief George Bailey is now looking to fill.

But the match also presents an opportunity for the likes of Marcus Harris, who also made a first-up ton for the Vics, and even Nic Maddinson to press serious claims.

Harris also made the Australia A team, Maddinson didn’t, but Bailey said that wasn’t the be-all and end-all for possible Test selection.

“As far as Australia A selection goes, part of the process around that is trying to identify opportunities that may come around in the short term,” Bailey said.

“But also making sure we do keep an eye on developing opportunities and providing opportunities for players who may become important in different roles in the future.

“And the fact that Nic Maddinson and Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb aren’t in that squad shows there’s some pretty good depth there.”

Steve Smith will have a rare outing with NSW. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Smith and Starc will join Nathan Lyon in the NSW squad that also includes World Cup winner Sean Abbott and former Test seamer Jackson Bird.

Test quicks Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins were not considered for the Shield match but are likely to play in NSW’s One-Day Cup fixture against Victoria in Melbourne next Friday before taking part in the ODI series against Pakistan.

“The priority is absolutely the first Test of the summer,” Bailey said.

“So we’re just making sure we give that Test group the best preparation for them as individuals.”