Three internationals boost the Blues
NSW recalled three internationals for next week's Pura Cup cricket final against history-seeking Tasmania, with spinner Nathan Hauritz replacing fellow spinner Beau Casson.
Off spinner Hauritz, captain and batsman Simon Katich and paceman Matthew Nicholson were all named in a 13-man squad for the final in Hobart starting next Monday.
Wrist spinner Casson, who joined the Blues from WA for this season, played in seven first class games with Hauritz appearing in just two.
Katich is expected to replace rookie Peter Forrest, while Nicholson comes in for Mark Cameron who was left out despite taking 5-116 in last week's seven wicket loss to Tasmania at Bellerive Oval.
Former Queenslander Hauritz, who moved across to NSW this summer, has been used mostly in the one-day games with Casson preferred in the four-dayers.
Hauritz, 25, previously played for Queensland in a losing final against Victoria in the 2003/04 season.
He has taken three wickets at 58.66 in two first class appearances this season while Casson has claimed seven scalps at 72.00.
But the selectors opted for Hauritz's finger spin for the final at Bellerive Oval ahead of Casson's wrist spin as they attempt to reverse their seven-wicket thrashing by Tasmania in the final regular season round which finished on Sunday.
Young batsman Ben Rohrer, who scored 163 over seven hours on debut against Tasmania, has retained his place in the squad.
Tasmania will be hosting the final for the first time and are seeking their first-ever Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup title.
NSW squad: Simon Katich (capt), Doug Bollinger, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Phil Jaques, Grant Lambert, Stuart MacGill, Matthew Nicholson, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith, Dominic Thornely. (12th man and 13th man to be named Monday).
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.