Test stars to play next Shield round

A helter-skelter schedule won't stop Australia's limited-overs players sneaking in a Bupa Sheffield Shield hit before Australia's four-Test series against India starts in Brisbane on December 4.

Shane Watson will be among the Test stars returning to red-ball cricket next week, despite featuring prominently in the one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa.

And Brad Haddin is now expected to join Watson in turning out for NSW as the wicketkeeper seeks to prove his fitness for Australia's Test team, while Michael Clarke is also a possibility of making a surprise appearance as he keeps his options open for a possible return ahead of the first Test.

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Haddin injured his right shoulder diving for a catch in the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi late last month.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann made it clear on Tuesday he expects the majority of the Test squad to be playing those four-day games, despite many being part of a busy limited-overs stretch.

"They should be playing for their states," Lehmann said. "Obviously it's the only red-ball game they can get as well (before the first Test), so that's important."

Lehmann added that he was confident Haddin would turn out for NSW, which would pave the way for him to take the Test captaincy reins if Clarke failed to come up for the Commonwealth Bank Test Series opener.

"I reckon he'll be right mate, that's all the reports we're getting here," Lehmann told Adelaide radio station FIVEaa.

"I'm pretty sure he'll play the Shield game just before the Test and prove his fitness and away we go.

"Again, we're just being a little bit conservative with him and not playing in the one-dayers now. The plan was to play him in the last couple obviously, but just making sure he's right for the Shield game and the Test match."

Watson confirmed on Tuesday the plan was for him to tackle the Proteas on Sunday at the SCG, then return to the venue two days later for NSW's first-class clash with South Australia.

"There's a few games back-to-back. Three (ODI) games to go - the series finishes very quickly," Watson said in Canberra.

"I'll definitely be playing in that (Shield match)."

Watson has sent down a total of seven overs in the five limited-overs games he has played for Australia since returning from calf and ankle injuries.

The allrounder suggested that wasn't due to workload issues, and that he would "absolutely" be bowling for NSW next week.

"I've been talking to (stand-in Australia skipper) George (Bailey) to try and get a few more overs, but it didn't work out," Watson said.

"Especially the last game, unfortunately we didn't get a few more overs.

"I'm very keen to be able to bowl."

Australia will assemble in Brisbane following the upcoming round of Shield games on November 25-28.

The myFootDr Queensland Bulls host the Tasmania Tigers at Allan Border Field, while the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors will welcome back Test allrounder Mitchell Marsh when they face Victoria's CommBank Bushrangers at the MCG.