The 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season gets underway tomorrow, Saturday 4 October, with an intriguing opener between Western Australia and New South Wales at the WACA Ground.

NSW come into the clash unbeaten in its last four matches against WA, including three wins.

For WA, there’s a chance to respond after a rare home defeat to Victoria in March in the last Shield game of the 2024-25 season. They haven’t lost two straight Shield games at the WACA Ground since 2021.

Elegant left-hander Kurtis Patterson will again be a key figure for NSW, having been among his team’s most consistent performers last season with 743 runs at 57.15 including a century and five half-centuries.

Australian allrounder Cameron Green will play his first Shield match since February 2024, when he scored an unbeaten 103 against Tasmania in Hobart.

Green said he was thrilled to be playing for his state again, having missed last season due to back surgery.

“To be back around the guys, a fresh season, some new faces I haven’t played with before, it’s really exciting,” he said.

“I’m feeling really good and my body is in a really good place.

“It’s been a really good rehab journey.

“I feel stronger, fitter and my action feels good.”

Laurie Sawle medallist for the 2024-25 season Corey Rocchiccioli will also be in action after his recent tour for Australia A in India. Rocchiccioli took 38 wickets last season, second only to South Australia’s Nathan McAndrew, who notched up 40 dismissals.

Rocchiccioli said he was looking forward to being back playing at the WACA Ground, following his stint in India.

“To come back home and have that summer optimism in the air, first game of the year, playing in front of friends and family and playing with my mates again, I don’t think you can beat playing at the WACA Ground,” he said.

“Sometimes you like your long pre-seasons, but I think with the stage where I’m at, to be able to play six first-class games over the winter break, I feel like I’m in a really good place to play cricket.”

With plenty of experience on both teams and strong individual match-ups across the board, this opening-round fixture sets up as a tight and competitive contest – the perfect way to start a new Sheffield Shield Season.