Ed Cowan to miss games against Western Australia

Ed Cowan, the New South Wales batsman, has been ruled out of the ING Cup and Pura Cup matches against Western Australia at Perth this week. Cowan hurt his toe in grade cricket and could be out for four to six weeks after doctors ruled that he needed surgery. He has been replaced in the one-day squad by Craig Simmons, a 22-year-old left-handed opener, while Greg Mail has been named as Cowan's replacement in the Pura Cup squad.

Simmons was with Western Australia till last season, but moved to Sydney in the hope of furthering his first-class career. The match against his former state will be his first one for New South Wales.

Meanwhile, Aaron O'Brien has also been picked in the Pura Cup squad after scoring an unbeaten 227 in a second XI game against Victoria. O'Brien, an allrounder, has been a member of the one-day squad this season.