16/07/2008 11:35 AM
Australia pace spearhead Brett Lee believes the second coming of the Sheffield Shield competition will provide the national team with a new batch of Test stars.
Weet Bix has backed the domestic four-day domestic competition in an initial five-year partnership.
The famed Sheffield Shield trophy has also been restored in a deal announced at the MCG on Wednesday.
Lee, who was brought up on fierce domestic battles for the shield, said he was desperate to help New South Wales to the title in its first year back this Australian summer.
"I think over the past nine to 10 years we have been playing for the Pura Cup but deep down it's always been the Sheffield Shield," Lee said.
"It's the Sheffield Shield presented by Weet-Bix now which is a brilliant outcome. They've got right behind the Sheffield Shield and it is back."
"I think it all comes down to the history. Back in 1892 when it first started and watching the people on TV and going to the Sydney Cricket Ground as a young kid watching Sheffield Shield matches, it's a very historic thing and it's great that it's back."
Lee, who was Australia's dominant bowler in the recent Test and one-day series against West Indies, said the competition provided a testing stage for baggy green hopefuls to strut their stuff.
"It's just the most wonderful competition. It's a great breeding ground for the younger guys coming through to hopefully one day play for Australia," he said.
"Hopefully people want to one day play Test match cricket. This is where it all starts in the Sheffield Shield competition."
"It's almost like a dress rehearsal for Test match cricket. We've got a lot of young players coming through now. We have some amazing talent."
"You only have to look at the last series during the one day competition. We've got heaps of youth coming through which is going to be healthy for Australian cricket."
Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said the new partnership was exciting for the game.
"This interstate first-class competition is most certainly the foundation upon which our No.1 ranked Australian Test team has been built," Sutherland said.
"I look forward to watching with interest the new breed of Australian players rising through the ranks by playing the Sheffield Shield presented by Weet-Bix."