New South Wales will not have the services of their two Australian stars Steve Smith and Mitchell Stars for their next game in the Sheffield Shield against Victoria, starting on February 25.

Starc has withdrawn from the NSW squad following the death of his father due to cancer on Tuesday while his wife Alyssa Healy also withdrew from NSW Breakers' National Women's Cricket League clash game against Tasmania in Hobart on Thursday (February 25).

Nathan Lyon said, “Obviously it's very sad, sad news. All our thoughts and prayers are going out to Mitch and his family. It's obviously never great losing someone like that.”

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The spinner added, “It's a tough time, but he knows he's got all our love and all our support from not just me, but everyone here at NSW cricket and the cricket community as well.”

Meanwhile, Smith pulled out of the game due to pain in his elbow that he sustained during the recent home Test series against India, but hopes to be ready for NSW's next Sheffield Shield fixture next week.

Smith said: “I have had some pain in my elbow that's gradually worsened since the Test against India at the SCG and it requires some rest and rehab. I am hoping I will be right to travel with the Blues to Adelaide for our games down there next week, but we will have to see how it responds to treatment.”

Notably, NSW has added fast bowler Liam Hatcher and top-order batsman, Jason Sangha, to the squad for the upcoming Sheffield Shield against Victoria on Thursday.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)