NSW will be without star players Starc and Smith for their next Marsh Sheffield Shield clash

New South Wales will be without star players Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith for their next Marsh Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria, starting on 25 February

Mitchell Starc will miss the game following the passing of his father Paul on Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

Alyssa Healy (Starc’s wife ) also withdrew from New South Wales’ next two Women’s National Cricket League fixtures.

“All our thoughts and prayers are going out to Starc and his family,” said team-mate Nathan Lyon.

“It’s a tough time for Mitch but he knows he has all our love and support from, just not me, but from everyone here at New South Wales Cricket and the cricket community as well.”

Steve Smith has pulled out with a left elbow issue he picked up during the Vodafone Test Series against India at home.

“I have had some pain in my elbow that’s gradually worsened since the Test against India at the SCG and it requires some rest and rehab,” Smith said.

“I am hoping I will be right to travel with the Blues to Adelaide for our games down there next week but we will have to see how it responds to treatment.”

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New South Wales Blues Sheffield Shield squad: Peter Nevill (c), Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Pat Cummins, Liam Hatcher, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Nathan Lyon, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Daniel Solway