NSW skipper Moises Henriques says the Blues are determined to put an end to Victoria's recent Sheffield Shield dominance when the Bushrangers arrive at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
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Victoria have dominated the domestic competition in recent years, winning the past three shields, but NSW have started the 2017-18 season with three outright wins to sit top of the table.
"It is a great test. It's always a good battle between Victoria and NSW," Henriques said. "You've got to respect a team that's won so many shields over the last 10 years."
Former Test players Ed Cowan and Steve O'Keefe return to the Blues line-up following the victory over Queensland, with Test stars Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon on Ashes duty against England in Brisbane. ???
A surfeit of openers promises to give NSW selectors a few headaches determining the batting line-up, with Cowan, Daniel Hughes, Nic Maddinson and Nick Larkin all in contention.
"There's some tough decisions to be made there in terms of batting order. It's a matter of some guys having to be a little bit flexible with where they bat," Henriques said.
Henriques said he was wary of Victorian players, including former Test stars Glenn Maxwell and Cameron White.
"They've got a dangerous team. Their bowling attack, aside from ours, is one of the better bowling attacks in the country with Sids [Peter Siddle], [Chris] Tremain and [Scott] Boland, and now with Jon Holland coming back," Henriques said.
The Bushrangers sit fifth on the ladder and are yet to record a victory this season.
"They haven't got off to the start they would have liked. But we know they're going to be really hungry," said Henriques.
All-rounder Henriques is focusing on his batting for now. "I'll bowl when needed, but batting in the top four or five - I think my main job is to score as many runs as I can."
Henriques said he doesn't mind playing at smaller venues, as long as the match doesn't become one-sided.
"If there's something in the wicket, or the outfield might be a bit longer, just to even the contest up between bat and ball. I find they're the best games of cricket to play," he said. "We've got off to a great start, but that means nothing tomorrow."
NSW squad: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Ed Cowan, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Will Somerville
