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NSW and Victoria are set to field five Test bowlers between them in their Shield clash, providing the perfect showdown for Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas.
Australia's selectors have been handed a dream scenario, with Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas to both face Test-style attacks in their Sheffield Shield showdown.
NSW on Thursday confirmed their side for the clash with Victoria starting on Sunday at the MCG, with Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon both named to play as expected.
Steve Smith will also line up for the Blues, in his first red-ball match since it was confirmed he would move back down to No.4 for Australia.
Victoria will announce their side on Friday, but AAP understands Scott Boland will play his first red-ball contest of the summer for the hosts.
Glenn Maxwell is not expected to feature, after recording scores of 14 and 10 in his comeback match for a Victorian second XI.
In effect, it means Harris and Konstas will both have equal chance to impress, before linking up in an Australia A side for two matches against India A.
Locked in a battle with Cameron Bancroft for Smith's old opening spot, Harris made scores of 143 and 52 for Victoria last week against Tasmania.
Konstas also burst onto the scene in the opening round against South Australia, becoming the youngest man since Ricky Ponting to score twin tons in a Shield match at age 19.
Both Konstas and Harris can expect a tougher examination this week.
NSW's squad announcement means Harris will face an attack that includes Starc, Nathan Lyon, former Test seamer Jackson Bird and white-ball paceman Sean Abbott.
Konstas is expected to come up against a Victorian attack featuring MCG master Boland, fit-again ODI quick Will Sutherland and spinner Todd Murphy.
Konstas, Harris and Bancroft will then all enter camp for Australia A's four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne, with a Test squad likely to be named between those games.
Chief selector George Bailey had indicated earlier this week that they would have no hesitation in picking Konstas for the first Test against India in Perth on November 22 if officials felt he was ready.
"If we make a selection we make it because we believe someone is ready to play," Bailey said on Monday.
"Sam has had a good start, he is five games into his first-class career. He looks really organised and is composed at the crease.
"It's good recognition he has been given the opportunity to play Australia A.
"But that's not taking your eye off how consistent Marcus Harris or Cam Bancroft has been."
Meanwhile Boland's return from a knee complaint for Victoria could be crucial, given the renewed focus on Australia's quicks for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Cameron Green's injury is likely to prompt an increased workload for the aging pace attack, with Bailey indicating earlier this week that it was unlikely the trio would each play all five Tests.
That could open the door for Boland to play his first Test since the 2023 Ashes, with Jhye Richardson still on a staggered return to red-ball cricket.
Fellow WA quick Lance Morris has also battled a quad strain, and won't play in the Shield until at least next month.
While Starc will face Victoria next week, Josh Hazlewood is expected to play in the following Shield game against Queensland.
Cummins will not play a Shield match before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but is expected to face Victoria in a 50-over match next Friday.
