Oz duo to play in Shield game

Sydney - Australian Test stars Shane Watson and Brad Haddin will play for New South Wales in this week's Sheffield Shield while Australia are involved in the tri one-day series against India and Sri Lanka.

Both were named on Tuesday in the NSW team to play Western Australia in Perth, starting on Friday.

Watson, who made his return in Sydney club cricket last weekend following a lengthy injury lay-off, will continue his recovery from a damaged hamstring in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of Australia's Caribbean tour next month.

Wicketkeeper Haddin, omitted from Australia's one-day international squad for the second time on Tuesday, will be looking for form to convince selectors to recall him.

Batting all-rounder Watson is replacing Simon Katich in the NSW team, with the former Test opening batsman still suffering from residual concussion after being struck on the head while batting against Tasmania last week.

Other former Test batsmen playing for NSW this week are Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja.