A mild concussion setback for Test spinner Nathan Lyon isn’t expected to hold him back from NSW’s season-opener which is locked in for next week.
The MCG pitches will get their first real test ahead of Boxing Day and several Ashes hopefuls will finally get to play when Victoria takes on NSW in early November as part of 10 more confirmed domestic matches.
Test hopefuls including Marcus Harris and spin star Nathan Lyon will finally get to strut their stuff for the Vics and NSW respectively next week when the two states start their delayed seasons at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval in a Sheffield Shield match.
Lyon was withdrawn from an intra-squad match with his NSW teammates after suffering a mild concussion while fielding, having bowled 20 overs, and is expected to play in next week’s Sheffield Shield opener.
The two teams will then head to Melbourne for another Shield match at the MCG on November 5-8 before a day-night one-day game at the same venue on November 12.
It will be the first time the MCG has been used since August, when the AFL moved finals interstate.
“As you might imagine, the players are very excited to get out on the field and compete after a long winter,” Victorian coach Chris Rogers said.
“I know captain Peter Handscomb and the whole squad are looking forward to arriving in Sydney and getting our season up and running.”
With crowds set to return to the Melbourne Cup on November 2, members of the public could also be allowed to attend in welcome relief for sports-starved Victorians.
Batting star Will Pucovski could also return for the Vics in the second game, with his response to concussion symptoms suffered after a blow to the head earlier this month set to determine his availability.
All six states have more games now scheduled, with Queensland also set to return to the Gabba ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on December 8.
“We are delighted to announce a new raft of Marsh One-Day Cup and Marsh Sheffield Shield matches,” Cricket Australia head of cricket operations Peter Roach said.
“It’s going to be fantastic to see NSW and Victoria get their seasons started in what will prove to be an important build-up to the men’s Ashes series, and we thank both state governments for their collaboration and support in making this happen.
“Scheduling cricket in a pandemic continues to be challenging and it’s only been through the hard work of our state and territory associations, partners, players, match officials and staff that we’ve been able to stage the following fixtures.
“The upcoming Ashes series promises to be tough encounter, making it important to play as much red-ball cricket as possible and give all Test aspirants the opportunity to put their hand up.
“We will continue to work through the remainder of the men’s domestic season prior to the KFC Big Bash League, acknowledging the need to ensure ground availability for the Weber WBBL finals.“
Ground availability could be crucial in determining whether any more domestic men’s games can be played.
THE SEASON IS BACK ON
Sheffield Shield
Oct 27-30: Western Australia v South Australia – WACA Ground
Oct 27-30: Queensland v Tasmania – Riverway Stadium, Townsville
Oct 27-30: New South Wales v Victoria – Drummoyne Oval
Nov 5-8: Victoria v New South Wales – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Nov 10-13: Queensland v Western Australia – Gabba
Nov 10-13: Tasmania v South Australia – Blundstone Arena
One-Day Cup
Oct 25: Western Australia v South Australia – WACA Ground
Nov 1: Queensland v Tasmania – Riverway Stadium, Townsville
Nov 12: Victoria v New South Wales – MCG (Day/Night)
Nov 15: Queensland v Western Australia – Gabba (Day/Night)
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