Casson gets his chance in the Sheffield Shield

Beau Casson will have his first chance to impress since being overlooked for the Test tour of India when he lines up in New South Wales' Sheffield Shield side on Friday. The Blues begin their title defence against Western Australia in Perth.

Casson has recovered from a groin injury he picked up on Australia A's recent tour of India and he will take up his usual first-class position as he aims to press his claims for further Test action. However, Casson was not chosen in the one-day squad for the season-opening FR Cup match.

"I am excited to be playing after my groin injury," Casson told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week. "I just want to be playing all three forms of the game. If you're doing that then obviously you're giving yourself the best chance of getting back."

Casson made his Test debut in the West Indies in June but Bryce McGain, Jason Krejza and Cameron White were all chosen ahead of him for the India tour. He will be the leading first-class spinner for New South Wales, who also named the legspinner Steve Smith in their 12-man Sheffield Shield squad.

There was no place for Nathan Hauritz, Steve O'Keefe, David Warner or Aaron Bird, all of whom were picked in the FR Cup squad. Moises Henriques, the promising allrounder, is likely to be handed greater responsibility this season and has been selected. Burt Cockley, the fast bowler, and Greg Mail, the opening batsman, were also added to the group.

Western Australia squad Shaun Marsh, Liam Davis, Marcus North (capt), Adam Voges, Luke Pomersbach, Luke Ronchi (wk), Theo Doropoulos, Aaron Heal, Steve Magoffin, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, Arron Crawford.

New South Wales squad Phillip Hughes, Greg Mail, Peter Forrest, Dominic Thornely (capt), Steven Smith, Grant Lambert, Daniel Smith (wk), Moises Henriques, Beau Casson, Nathan Bracken, Mark Cameron, Burt Cockley.