NOWRA’S Nic Maddinson will be hoping for a better return against Queensland, when his NSW Blues take on the Bulls from Monday in the JLT Sheffield Shield.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After scoring just 16 and 22 in his two innings against Western Australia, the former Test batsmen will get another chance to score runs at Allan Border Field – in a Blues team that has made three changes.
With Test pacemen Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins being rested ahead of the first Test against England, Doug Bollinger, Sean Abbott and Harry Conway have been recalled.
Former Test seamer Trent Copeland, who claimed 6-24 in the first innings of the opening match against South Australia, was 12th man during the most recent match against Western Australia when the star pace trio played a first class match together for the first time.
NSW and Australian captain Steve Smith, his vice-captain David Warner, and Test spinner Nathan Lyon will all play for the Blues again next week against Queensland.
The Blues have charged to the top of the JLT Sheffield Shield table thanks to imposing swing and seam bowling, with NSW and Queensland the only undefeated sides after two rounds.
NSW coach Trent Johnston said this match has an opportunity to open up a lead over the rest of the competition.
“The Australian guys have laid the foundation for us,” Johnston said.
“We spoke about getting off to a good start and they’ve put down a platform for the rest of the squad guys to come in.
“To have Australian representative bowlers as replacements is a luxury we have.
“They would have been disappointed to miss the first couple of games but they have their opportunity now and it’s pretty exciting.
“We’ve still got plenty of experience with the bat with Warner and Smith, who are in good nick.”
Johnston believes Allan Bolder Field may give spinner Nathan Lyon more of an opportunity than he’s had in the previous two matches, which have been dominated by pace.
“It tends to spin more from day one and if Doug plays he’ll create a bit of rough outside the right hander’s off-stump,” Johnston said.
The NSW squad: Steve Smith ©, Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Kurtis Patterson and David Warner.