NSW cricket captain Steve Waugh will have to do without fast bowler Nathan Bracken in the last Pura Cup preliminary match against Queensland starting at the SCG on Thursday.

Bracken was tonight called into the Australian World Cup squad to replace the injured Jason Gillespie.

Bracken was 12th man for the Blues' win in Perth last week.

This week's last Pura Cup round will determine the finalists.

The Bulls are already assured of hosting next week's final and the other spot will be filled by either NSW or Victoria, which plays WA from Thursday.

Queensland selectors dropped Australian representative seamer Adam Dale to accommodate young spinner Chris Simpson and could omit another of the formidable pace attack if they decide to play both Simpson and fellow slow bowler Matthew Anderson.

NSW captain Steve Waugh expects Queensland wants to field the same combination who will participate in the final, although he concedes they could play one or even both spinners on a turning SCG wicket.

"This year it (the SCG) has suited the quicks quite a bit, so I think they will pretty much play the team they are going to play in the final, they would be silly not to," Waugh said.

An inspection of the pitch prompted Queensland skipper Martin Love to suggest it would play more like an old-fashioned SCG turner.

"Earlier in the season I think it probably tended to favour the quicker bowlers rather than the spinners, but having a quick peek at this one, I don't think this one is going to," Love said.

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