Casson switch to New South Wales in doubt

The move of Beau Casson, the left-arm wrist spinner, from Western Australia to New South Wales is under threat after Cricket Australia set a grievance tribunal hearing for May 29. The Western Australian Cricket Association was unhappy to see their No. 1 first-class spinner leave despite desperate attempts to keep him, and lodged a report relating to Cricket New South Wales' dealings for the transfer.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said rule four of the 2005-09 Memorandum of Understanding said: "A state association must not (and must ensure that its constituent clubs do not) hold discussions with a CA contracted player or state contracted player who is bound to another state association concerning the possible transfer of that player without first informing the player's home state association."

Casson announced on May 8 he was leaving the Warriors in the hope of getting a start with the Blues, whose slow-bowling stocks already include Stuart MacGill, Jason Krejza and Steve O'Keefe, while Nathan Hauritz will arrive in Sydney during the off-season. The hearing will take place at Cricket Australia's office in Melbourne and be heard by Ron Beazley, the Cricket Australia code of behaviour commissioner, Steven Skala, a Cricket Australia representative, and John McMullan, the Australian Cricketers' Association's representative.