Tasmania pick Cox after return to form

Jamie Cox, the former captain, has won a surprise recall for Tasmania's Pura Cup match against New South Wales starting at Bellerive Oval on Thursday. Two centuries in the 2nd XI Cricket Australia Cup have elevated Cox back into the senior side after playing three matches earlier in the season.

Brian McFadyen, the coach, said Cox's quality was shown in the way he fought back after a long absence. "Jamie's recent form was impossible to ignore and it is evident that he has worked hard on his game," he said. "Jamie is a class player and his recent good form has proved to selectors that his first-class career is not finished yet." Cox was also drafted into Tasmania's winning ING Cup squad as 13th man last month to provide guidance for the younger players.

New South Wales have named a 13-man outfit as cover for the injured Matthew Nicholson, who was a late scratching from the loss to Western Australia at Perth last week. Nicholson hurt his ankle in January and will be monitored in the lead-up to the crucial match.

The Blues, who are on 28 points, slipped behind Queensland (34) into third place last weekend and need a victory to maintain the pressure for a finals berth. Ed Cowan, the 22-year-old batsman, has been dropped in favour of Jason Krejza, the offspinning allrounder. Western Australia lead the competition on 36 points while Tasmania are fifth and no chance of making the final.

New South Wales Greg Mail, Phil Jaques, Matthew Phelps, Dominic Thornely, James Packman, Brad Haddin (capt, wk), Jason Krejza, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Grant Lambert, Stuart MacGill, Matthew Nicholson.

Tasmania Travis Birt, Michael Di Venuto, Jamie Cox, Michael Bevan, David Dawson, Daniel Marsh (capt), George Bailey, Sean Clingeleffer (wk), Xavier Doherty, Damien Wright, Adam Griffith, Brett Geeves.