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Pura Cup: Final Preview

Thursday, March 13 2003

New South Wales and Queensland will battle out the Pura Cup Final, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane tomorrow (Friday).

The visiting Blues side will take a significant mental edge over the Bulls following their maximum points victory in Sydney just last week.

The match may signal the end of the great Mark Waugh’s first-class career following hints from the veteran this week that he is looking towards retirement, which would become almost certain if the visitors win the Cup for the first time since 1992/93.

Mark still continues to perform well for the Blues, however, at the age of 37 and now retired from the International circuit, the game does not offer much else for the classy batsman.

Meanwhile, brother Stephen has been given until Sunday to decide whether he will lead the Australian side to the West Indies in April.

The match is significant for batsmen Michael Clarke and Martin Love, who seems set to battle out for the reserve batting spot, and Ashley Noffke, who is said to be battling with Brad Williams for the final pacemen’s spot.

However, a sub-plot may emerge in the selection puzzle, with Brad Haddin and Wade Seccombe battling out for the potential 16th spot on the tour as the reserve wicket-keeper.

Lee Carseldine and Joe Dawes have both been passed fit by the Bulls today following their respective back injuries.

Dawes and former international Adam Dale are both expected to join Michael Kasprowicz and Ashley Noffke in a 4-pronged pace attack, with the medium pace of James Hopes also a strong bowling option.

Mark Cameron and Shawn Bradstreet seem certain to be left out for the Blues, while Matthew Anderson’s distinguished career as Queensland’s drinks waiter looks set to continue.

Likely Teams:

Queensland
Martin Love ©
Brendan Nash
Daniel Payne
Lee Carseldine
Clinton Perren
James Hopes
Wade Seccombe
Ashley Noffke
Adam Dale
Michael Kasprowicz
Joe Dawes
Matthew Anderson (likely 12th man)

New South Wales
Steve Waugh ©
Michael Slater
Greg Mail
Simon Katich
Michael Clarke
Mark Waugh
Brad Haddin
Don Nash
Stuart Clark
Stuart MacGill
Don Nash
Shawn Bradstreet & Mark Cameron (likely 12th and 13th men).

Posted by Andre