International Cricket News: Nathan Lyon, who had a minor concussion while fielding during a New South Wales intra-squad match in Sydney on Tuesday, is likely to be fit for Australia's first Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Drummoyne Oval on October 27.
On the first day of a three-day trial game at Hurstville Oval, Lyon was hit on the head while fielding, as per Australia cricket updates. He bowled 20 overs on the day and got 1 for 79, but he is said to have awoken with a headache on Wednesday morning and will sit out the rest of the three-day match as a precaution.
With the New South Wales-Victoria border finally opening on Wednesday, Cricket Australia has confirmed the next round of Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup matches.
On October 27 at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney and November 5 at the MCG, the two teams will face off in back-to-back Shield matches. They'll also play a Marsh Cup match at the MCG on November 12.
Lyon and other Australia Test hope including Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Marcus Harris, and James Pattinson are expected to be available for at least the two Shield games, but any Test squad member will be required to spend 14 days in Queensland before the first Ashes Test against England.
Will Pucovski, who had a concussion last week, has yet to be determined whether or not he will be ready for Victoria.
Meanwhile, Queensland residents will be able to return home after the Western Australian government reopened the Queensland border following the Covid outbreak in Brisbane last month. Tasmania and Western Australia will travel to Queensland to compete in the Shield and Marsh Cup in Townsville and Brisbane, respectively.
Before that, WA will host South Australia at the WACA in Perth. A third Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Victoria is still being planned for before the BBL begins in December, but it has yet to be confirmed.
Marsh Sheffield Shield Oct 27-30: Western Australia vs South Australia - WACA Ground Oct 27-30: Queensland vs Tasmania - Riverway Stadium, Townsville Oct 27-30: New South Wales vs Victoria - Drummoyne Oval Nov 5-8: Victoria vs New South Wales - Melbourne Cricket Ground Nov 10-13: Queensland vs Western Australia - Gabba Nov 10-13: Tasmania vs South Australia - Blundstone Arena
Marsh One-Day Cup Oct 25: Western Australia vs South Australia - WACA Ground Nov 1: Queensland vs Tasmania - Riverway Stadium, Townsville Nov 12: Victoria vs New South Wales - MCG (Day/Night) Nov 15: Queensland vs Western Australia - Gabba (Day/Night)