Australia's inability to handle the swinging and seaming deliveries on green English pitches has prompted the decision to use the English Dukes "special county" balls when the Shield season resumes.

Victoria and NSW won't have to wait long, for they will clash at the MCG from Wednesday, but Australia's Test stars are either in New Zealand contesting the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series or in Dubai preparing for next month's Test series in India.

However, the next generation of stars should benefit, whether that be batsmen or bowlers.

The Dukes balls, also used in the Caribbean, are claimed to be handmade, have a more prominent seam and are a slightly darker red complexion compared to the traditional Australian Kookaburra balls, which are a combination of hand- and machine-made.

Australia have lost their past four Ashes tours, with the Dukes ball seen as a major reason for this, for it traditionally swings more in English conditions than the Kookaburra ball does locally.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and fellow greats Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne have long called for CA to embrace the Dukes ball. Warne has even called for Cricket Australia to ditch Kookaburra and use Dukes in Test cricket.

CA has been trialling Dukes balls in the under-17 and under-19 championships and in the Futures Leagues since 2012. The ball maker has modified the ball for Australian conditions, with pitches here traditionally more abrasive.

The Dukes balls will be used in rounds six to 10 and the final and would appear likely to continue from this point next season if preparations for the next Ashes trip are still deemed to be a key agenda item.

Players have so far given a mixed response to the change. While mindful of the need to improve performances in England, there are concerns by the Australian Cricketers Association the shield is being used too much for experimental purposes – an issue it is debating with CA in the latest round of pay negotiations.

The top-of-the-ladder Bushrangers will name their squad on Tuesday, but the fourth-placed Blues have unveiled a formidable line-up. Gloveman Peter Nevill will return to battle for the first time after he was hurt by Brad Hodge's flying bat in the Big Bash League, while skipper Moises Henriques and pacemen Trent Copeland and Sean Abbott return to the shield side after missing the last match before Christmas through injury.

"The thing I'm most keen about is getting back ... and helping the team make a run for the finals and that starts in Melbourne," Abbott said.

Dumped Test batsman Nic Maddinson will have a point to prove, having had a top score of only 26 in seven BBL innings since struggling in the Test side and being overlooked for the tour of India.

The Bushrangers on Monday named a 14-man squad for the clash with the Blues. Cameron White will captain the side with Matthew Wade away on international duties, while selectors have taken a cautious approach with James Pattinson, with the injury-prone fast bowler set to make his first-class return in Victoria's next match against South Australia.

Victoria squad

Cameron White (C)
Fawad Ahmed
Scott Boland
Dan Christian
Travis Dean
Evan Gulbis
Sam Harper
Marcus Harris
Jon Holland
Will Pucovski
Rob Quiney
Jake Reed
Matthew Short
Chris Tremain