Thorp and Nicholson in Warriors call-up

In-form swing bowler Callum Thorp moved a step closer to his first-class debut when he was named in the Western Warriors team to play New South Wales in a Pura Cup match at Newcastle on January 23-26.

Thorp, who turned 28 this week, was named in the 12-man team released by WACA selectors today.

The team is:
Justin Langer (captain), Mike Hussey (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Shaun Marsh, Matthew Nicholson, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp and Brad Williams.

Thorp has played two ING Cup limited-overs games and took four wickets (4-58) against England in a two-day match last October.

He is the WACA SunSmart League leading wicket-taker this season with 41 victims at an average of 10.5 with his Wanneroo club. Thorp took 50 league wickets at an average of 16 last season.

Fast bowler Matthew Nicholson has been recalled to the Warriors team after his recovery from a wrist injury and viral infection in December.

Nicholson, 28, confirmed his fitness in the WA ACB Cup Second XI match against NSW during the week with match figure of 6-77 from 32 overs. The former Test paceman also scored 62 and 32 in a match that WA won by 241 runs.

All-rounder Kade Harvey and pace bowler Paul Wilson are the two players omitted from the Warriors team that lost outright to Queensland at the WACA early this month.

The Warriors departed early on Friday morning for Sunday's important ING Cup clash with the SpeedBlitz Blues at Coffs Harbour.

The Warriors ING Cup Team for Sunday is:
Justin Langer (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp and Paul Wilson.