He's got his "little mongrel" back in the team, but NSW captain Moises Henriques has a batting poser to resolve heading into the star-studded Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.
The match starting at North Sydney Oval on Friday could feature up to 15 Australian representatives despite clashing with the first Ashes Test.
Ladder-leaders NSW have recalled Ed Cowan and Nick Larkin, who both open the batting, as can Nick Maddinson and Daniel Hughes.
"Essentially we've got four opening batters in our top six, so there's some tough decisions to be made in terms of batting order," Henriques said.
"It's a matter of some guys having to be a little bit flexible where they bat.
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"I'm sure all four of them would love to open."
Former Test middle order batsman Maddinson has scored 75 runs at an average of just 12.50 as an opener across the first three rounds.
"He still wants to open the batting and we'd love to see him do well at that position, he's got all the skill to open the batting," Henriques said.
While NSW have lost star batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner to Test duty, they have recalled last season's leading Shield run scorer Cowan and recent Test spinner Steve O'Keefe, who hasn't played a first-class game this season due to a broken finger.
"He's a little mongrel out on the field, so it will be good to have that sort of intensity out there," Henriques said of O'Keefe.
Victoria also regain a Test spinner, in Jon Holland, while veteran batsman Cameron White has been recalled..
The Blues could field eight internationals and the Bushrangers seven.
Glenn Maxwell is set to bat at No.3 for Victoria after flying from Brisbane, where he was on standby for Australia.
The likes of Maxwell and NSW wicketkeeper Peter Nevill were among those with most cause to be aggrieved at being left out of the Test team.
However, Victoria captain Aaron Finch believes those men who missed out will perhaps play with more freedom and less pressure.
"I think they can just let that go off their shoulders and just get back to playing and enjoying it," he said.
Finch said confidence wasn't an issue for the winless defending champions, who are almost 17 points behind NSW after three Shield rounds.
"Our bowlers have done an amazing job to get us out of trouble a few times and it's probably time for the batters to stand up," Finch said.
