Overview
- Head withdrew from the final two T20Is against India to play South Australia’s next Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.
- Cricket Australia expects a near full first-Test cohort to feature in this Shield round, including Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Cameron Green, Usman Khawaja, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Beau Webster and Marnus Labuschagne.
- Reserve fast bowlers Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott and Michael Neser are also expected to get Shield time ahead of selection finalization for Perth.
- Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was released from the T20 squad, with left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis added for the remaining matches.
- England arrive with limited red-ball preparation after a 3-0 ODI series loss to New Zealand, with only a three-day Lions game at Lilac Hill scheduled and coach Brendon McCullum expressing confidence his players will be better for the run.