Test stars on show at North Sydney Oval

The NSW Blues squad has been strengthened for this weekend's Mercantile Mutual Cup match at North Sydney Oval by the inclusion of several international players, fresh from Australia's victory over Pakistan in Brisbane.

Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath, Michael Slater and Michael Bevan will all take part in the match, against a full-strength Tasmanian Tigers side featuring Ricky Ponting and Colin Miller.

Australian captain, Steve Waugh, has been excused from the NSW Blues team because of the birth of his second child on Thursday.

The match has been transferred to North Sydney Oval in order to allow the re-laid area around the SCG wicket square, to settle.