Shield squads: Bird returns for Tasmania

Queensland are in pole position to host the JLT Sheffield Shield final, but with two rounds remaining and less than five points separating second from last on the ladder, all six teams remain in contention to play in the season decider.

Round nine gets underway on Saturday, with other matches starting on Monday and Tuesday, and all three games will be live streamed on cricket.com.au via the Cricket Network.

Victoria v NSW Blues at Junction Oval, March 3-6

Victoria have recalled leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed and wicketkeeper-batsman Seb Gotch for their match against NSW Blues, which will mark their return to the boutique Junction Oval in Melbourne's inner suburbs.

The Vics are riding a three-match unbeaten streak since the season recommenced and are flying high in second spot having been last just a week earlier.

The Blues, on the other hand, are winless since the mid-season break and are desperate to keep their season alive.

Australia Under 19 World Cup allrounder Param Uppal has been called up to a 13-man squad for NSW, alongside fast bowler Sean Abbott.

Uppal, who was born in Chandigarh and moved to Australia with his family at the age of four, scored a century and took five wickets in a recent Toyota Futures League match and will make his first-class debut if selected in the final XI.

Leg-spinner Daniel Fallins, right-arm quick Charlie Stobo and off-spinner Will Somerville have been omitted.

Victoria: Aaron Finch (c), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Seb Gotch, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Glenn Maxwell, Will Pucovski, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Cameron White

NSW Blues: Peter Nevill (c), Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Ed Cowan, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Gurinder Sandhu, Param Uppal

Tasmania v South Australia at Blundstone Area, March 5-8

Tasmania have welcomed back Test quick Jackson Bird for their crucial clash with South Australia in Hobart.

The right-armer was a late withdrawal from Australia's Qantas Test Tour of South Africa due to a minor hamstring problem, which has since healed enough for him to take on the Redbacks, starting on Monday.

The Tigers have also recalled batsman Jordan Silk, who has been sidelined with a collarbone injury sustained in the KFC BBL.

Silk's return comes at the expense of impressive young batsman Ben McDermott, who will instead captain Tasmania’s Futures League side, while young spinners Jarrod Freeman and Mac Wright have been omitted.

The Redbacks have made one change, with opener John Dalton dropped and uncapped left-hander Conor McInerney called up to make his debut.

Australia T20 quick Kane Richardson, who was overlooked for their last match against Queensland, could come back into the XI if conditions don't suit leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

The third-placed Tigers are four points ahead of the Redbacks, who are last, but both will likely need a win next week to have any chance of making the final.

Tasmania: George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Andrew Fekete, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers, Jordan Silk, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster

South Australia: Travis Head (c), Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Jake Lehmann, Conor McInerney, Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson, Jake Weatherald, Nick Winter, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa

Queensland v Western Australia at the Gabba, March 6-9

The ladder-leading Bulls have picked the same 12-man squad for the fourth match in a row, underlining why they're favourites to host the Shield decider in Brisbane.

Queensland currently hold a lead of more than eight points at the top of the ladder and can all but secure hosting rights with a win over the wounded Warriors.

Conversely, WA would turn the competition on its head if they can produce an upset at the Gabba, which would both bring the Bulls back to the pack and give them an outside chance of finishing in the top two.

The Warriors confirmed on Friday that veteran Michael Klinger will retire at the end of the season.

They will name their squad in the coming days.

Queensland: James Peirson (c), Brendan Doggett, Luke Feldman, Sam Heazlett, Charlie Hemphrey, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Lachlan Pfeffer, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth

Western Australia: TBA