Defending Sheffield Shield champions NSW should reach the final again and they are sure to be short price favourites with bookies to repeat that success. NSW are able to call on the spearheads of the Australian attack, Brett Lee & Stuart Clark not to mention Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke and opener Phil Jaques.

Reaching the final is their biggest challenge however as, in addition to Lee & Clark, they are also likely to be without the aforementioned record-breaking skipper Simon Katich for much of the season. The left-handers exploits last season, when he became the highest single season run scorer in Sheffield Shield history, were fundamental to the team's success but also saw him recalled to the Australia set-up, which will severely limit his NSW appearances this season.

Replacing Katich's runs will be a huge task but they could have just the man to do that in the shape of Phillip Hughes. The youngster, who does not turn 21 until the end of November, was behind only Katich in the NSW run lists last season, amassing 559 runs from only 7 appearances at an average of 62.11.

This prolific form saw him gain a call up to the Australia A team for their recent tour of India and, with more appearances guaranteed this term, he is 5/1 co-favourite with Stan James to top the season's run-scorer charts.

Even without much of a contribution during the regular season from Lee & Clark the NSW attack is plenty strong enough with the likes of ODI specialist Nathan Bracken & regular Australia squad member Doug Bollinger likely to feature in their fair share of games either side of international commitments.

The surprise omission of Beau Casson, heir-apparent to the Aussie spin-bowling crown, from the Baggy Green squad for India could see his left-arm chinamen being put to more use than anticipated for his State side, for whom he took a respectable 29 wickets last season.

A major concern for NSW last season was their form in the shorter forms of the game, disappointing in both 50 & 20 over cricket, areas in which they will be keen to improve, particularly with the Twenty20 Champions League carrot dangling tantalisingly in front of all teams these days.

One certain thing however is that any team hoping to lift the Sheffield Shield will have to overcome NSW to do so.