Jaques heads for New South Wales

Phil Jaques will play for New South Wales in their last chance to qualify for the Pura Cup final after being cut from the national one-day squad in South Africa. Jaques was covering for the injured Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds, but Ponting returned in Sunday's 24-run victory and Symonds is predicted to be fit for Friday's fourth match in Durban.

Ponting's stomach problem gave Jaques the opportunity for his second ODI after a brilliant 94 on debut in the VB Series, but he was dismissed for zero batting at No. 3 as Australia crumbled for 93 in game two. The captain then ruled himself ready for the third match and his 62 ended the mini-tour for Jaques.

"I was extra keen [to play]," Ponting told AAP. "But there's a bigger picture to look at. The worst thing that could have happened to me was to come back early and be out for the first or second Tests."

Ponting said Errol Alcott, the physiotherapist, feared the injury would take longer to heal. "Well done to [Alcott] for getting me back this quick," he said. "It's a good result all-round."

New South Wales, the defending Pura Cup champions, will welcome Jaques as they prepare to play South Australia from Friday. The Blues are last on 20 points with Tasmania and South Australia, but the teams are still capable of making the final against Queensland at the Gabba starting on March 24. Cullen Bailey, the legspinner, has come into the Redbacks squad for Shaun Tait, who has been elevated to the national team.

New South Wales Phil Jaques, Greg Mail, Matthew Phelps, Corey Richards, Dominic Thornely, Aaron O'Brien, Brad Haddin (capt, wk), Grant Lambert, Aaron Bird, Doug Bollinger, Jason Krejza, Matthew Nicholson.

South Australia Shane Deitz, Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Darren Lehmann (capt), Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Graham Manou (wk), Mark Cleary, Jason Gillespie, Daniel Cullen, Cullen Bailey, Paul Rofe.