Since helping Australia retain the urn on English soil for the first time since 2001, the Test captain has sparkled for his home state, registering his second first-class century 13 years after the first.

Vaughan said the 34-year-old looked transformed as he accumulated 121 in last week's draw against Western Australia.

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"He batted beautifully," he said. "We're really pleased with how he's come back post-England.

"You can see that his game has probably gone to another level. He batted beautifully off front and back foot. He was really calm and consistent with his mindset throughout. He was prepared to bat all day if needed."

Although Paine recorded a modest 180 runs at just 20.00 during the five-Test series, he is among the select crop of players with a higher Test average (31.45) than first-class (29.36).

And Vaughan is adamant that both Paine and Matthew Wade (337 at 33.7 with two centuries) have returned home better players.

"We can see that 100 per cent, both technically and emotionally. Playing in English conditions has been really good for both him and Wadey. They are batting really nicely at the moment."

Vaughan hopes to have the two Hobart-born wicket-keepers' services for four Sheffield Shield matches before they resume Test commitments, beginning with an away game against NSW beginning on Friday.

The Tigers will also lose big-hitting Ben McDermott to international Twenty20 duty after this match and will be without quick Jackson Bird due to the imminent birth of his first child.

Jake Doran has been omitted as Jarrod Freeman, Clive Rose and Beau Webster come into the squad.

Vaughan said the Tigers had planned ahead for Bird's expected absence but had been left stumped by a late venue change from the SCG to Drummoyne Oval.

"It's certainly a loss but something we'd known about and we were always prepared for Jacko to miss this game. It's a very exciting time in Jacko's life so we wish him all the best," he said.

"All of the players as kids want to play on the big venue so we're really disappointed, we don't really know the reasons why.

"We were just told yesterday and it's disappointing for all of us."

The coaching team were anticipating a slowish wicket but uncertainty prompted them to name a squad of 14.

"We really don't know the exact facilities. We were expecting the SCG and spin conditions then when we heard it was going to be Drummoyne we decided to take the extra player to ensure all of our bases are covered.

"We could play multiple spinners. Until we see the facilities we really don't know the make-up of the team. That's why we're taking 14."

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