JLT Cup squad preview: NSW

The squad: Peter Nevill (c), Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Ryan Gibson, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Stephen O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha

Possible starting XI: J Edwards, Hughes, Patterson, Henriques, Gibson, Larkin, Nevill, Sams, Abbott, O'Keefe, M Edwards

Who they're missing: Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon (Australia duties), Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (injured)

The 2017 result: Fourth

The inside word from head coach Phil Jaques and rising star Jason Sangha

Young gun: Jaques was reluctant to single out one player, but former Australia Under-19 captain Jason Sangha is set to make his debut this season. Sangha is a classy right-hander in the mold of India legend VVS Laxman and also bowls leg-spin, a facet of his game that could be utilised by Blues captain Peter Nevill. "My bowling has been a massive focus for me this year," Sangha said. "Having the opportunity to bowl up in Brisbane and talking to 'Nev' about my bowling and working with Stuart MacGill has been really handy. If 'Nev' ever needs me to bowl the ball I'll be happy to take it on."

Player to watch: "The whole squad brings a different type of flair," said Sangha. "I think every individual has something about their game that I love watching. Nick Larkin has been performing really well in the trial games. He got a hundred (against the NPS, who featured Starc and Lyon) when we went to Brisbane, so he's hitting the ball quite nicely. It would be nice to see him do really well.

Team strength: "I think we've got a really good mix of old and young," said Jaques. "There's exciting players with good power from a batting perspective. We've got some skillful bowlers and the future is looking really bright."

Biggest threat: "It's hard to say because there's an international series on at the same time," Jaques said. "But Western Australia have been the benchmark in this format but any one of the six teams could win. We'll be hoping we can make a statement early in the tournament and then come good at the right time at the business end when it matters."

The fixtures:
September 18 v Western Australia (WACA Ground, D/N)
September 20 v South Australia (WACA Ground, D/N)
September 23 v Victoria (North Sydney Oval)
September 25 v Tasmania (North Sydney Oval, D/N)
October 1 v Queensland (Drummoyne Oval, D/N)