Injuries batter Blues and Warriors

NSW leg spinner Liam Zammit and WA allrounder John Taylor were primed to make their first class debuts in the Pura Cup cricket match starting at the SCG tomorrow after both teams suffered two late injuries.

The Blues lost Australian cricket representatives Stuart MacGill (calf) and Brad Haddin (quadricep) while the Warriors will be without veteran paceman Jo Angel and batsman Chris Rogers, both of whom suffered abdominal injuries.

Penrith leggie Zammit, an Australian under-17 and under-19 representative who captured 57 grade wickets at an average of 18.82 last summer, replaced fellow spinner MacGill.

Wicketkeeper Haddin's place went to Nathan Pilon, the leading run scorer in Sydney grade last summer.

Taylor, who made his one-day debut in WA's four wicket loss to NSW at North Sydney yesterday, will now make his maiden first-class appearance.

Batsman Scott Meuleman flew from Perth to Sydney today, but will carry the drinks for the Warriors.

NSW skipper Steve Waugh, who continued his fine batting form with an unbeaten century yesterday, said there was a good vibe around the side.

"It's a good opportunity for some of the players," Waugh said after yesterday's ING Cup win.

"Matthew Nicholson will be looking forward to the game (against his former state), Phil Jaques looks the business, he's come back from England a different player, he looks ready to go.

"Slats (Michael Slater) finished off the year very well for NSW, he's keen to get runs and everyone has got something to prove."

WA captain Justin Langer will be hoping to break his early season run drought which has seen him produce scores of 26, two and three in three Test innings against Zimbabwe followed by scores of 11 and 15 in two ING Cup games.

The Warriors will be eager to snare their first Pura Cup points after a first up loss to South Australia by 56 runs.

"I think on paper it's a pretty even contest, it was today (in the ING Cup) and it will be in the four-day game," Langer said after yesterday's ING Cup loss.

Despite losing Angel, Langer will regain the services of another former Test fast bowler Paul Wilson, who has recovered from a broken jaw.

Teams

NSW: Steve Waugh (capt), Michael Slater, Greg Mail, Simon Katich, Phil Jaques, Mark Waugh, Nathan Pilon, Matthew Nicholson, Liam Zammit, Stuart Clark, Don Nash, Grant Lambert (12th man to be named).

WA (from): Justin Langer (capt), Michael Hussey,Murray Goodwin, Marcus North, Shaun Marsh, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, John Taylor, Peter Worthington, Callum Thorp, Paul Wilson, Scott Meuleman (12th man).