Harvey and Arnberger in Victoria squad

Victoria have included Ian Harvey, the allrounder, and Jason Arnberger, the opening batsman, in their 12-man squad for the Pura Cup final against Queensland, starting at the MCG on March 12. Meanwhile, Queensland have included Shane Jurgensen, the fast bowler who used to play for Tasmania, in their 14-man squad. Jimmy Maher and Ashley Noffke, who are both carrying injuries, were also called up.

Harvey was a late withdrawal from Victoria's match against Tasmania at Hobart because of a slight groin strain. But he proved his matchwinning ability in Monday's Premier Cricket one-day final for Northcote, taking 3 for 11 from 10 overs, and smashing 65 from 56 balls to almost singlehandedly rout Melbourne University.

That performance secured him a place in Victoria's squad, along with Arnberger, who has not played a first-class match since Victoria's win over New South Wales in Newcastle in early January because of calf problems. Arnberger replaced Matthew Mott, who has struggled at the top of the order recently, while Harvey came in for Brendan Joseland, the batting allrounder.

Joseland made 6 and 51 and took 1 for 19 in his first-class debut against Tasmania, but made way for Harvey, who has played just three first-class matches for Victoria this season because of Australian one-day duties, and none since December. The chairman of selectors, Mick O'Sullivan, admitted that there was a "bit of extra pressure" choosing a team for the final but was confident Harvey was ready to play.

"The selectors were conservative in their handling of Harvey last week," O'Sullivan said. "He is an experienced member of this side and we had to make sure he was 100% for this week. His performance on Monday in the Premier Cricket one-day final satisfied the selectors that he is right to go and we are confident in his ability to perform over five days if required."

Jurgensen's break in the Queensland squad came at the expense of his fellow fast bowler, Damien MacKenzie. Jurgensen has played three matches this season, taking 13 wickets at 23.15. Interestingly, when Queensland won the Pura Cup in 2001-02, Jurgensen played against them in the final, for Tasmania.

Squads
Victoria Darren Berry (capt, wk), Jason Arnberger, Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathew Inness, Michael Lewis, Andrew McDonald, Jonathan Moss, Cameron White, Allan Wise.

Queensland Jimmy Maher (capt), Clinton Perren, Martin Love, Stuart Law, Aaron Nye, James Hopes, Chris Hartley (wk), Andy Bichel, Nathan Hauritz, Ashley Noffke, Joe Dawes, Chris Simpson, Shane Jurgensen, Brendan Nash.