No room for Thorpe in NSW squad

New South Wales have overlooked Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman, as they push for a Pura Cup final berth against Tasmania at Hobart from Thursday. Thorpe is an assistant coach with the Blues and there is a chance for him to extend his fine first-class record before retiring at the end of the season.

Despite Phil Jaques's call-up for the Australia one-day squad, the New South Wales selectors preferred to recall Greg Mail and Corey Richards instead of handing a debut to Thorpe for the second last regular game. Richards, who top scored with 35 in the one-wicket ING Cup final victory over South Australia on Sunday, replaces Craig Simmons while Mail comes in after a brace of half-centuries in last week's 2nd XI game against Victoria.

Tasmania's plans for an unchanged side after their 120-run success in the last round against Victoria were upset by Michael Di Venuto pulling out with a back injury on Wednesday morning. He will be replaced by Tim Paine, who made his debut against South Australia in December.

The Tigers are last on 14 points and are out of contention for the final. New South Wales are equal third on 20 with South Australia and Western Australia, four behind Victoria and eight away from Queensland.

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

Tasmania David Dawson, Tim Paine, George Bailey, Michael Bevan, Travis Birt, Dan Marsh (capt), Sean Clingeleffer (wk), Xavier Doherty, Brendan Drew, Brett Geeves, Adam Griffith, Ben Hilfenhaus.