Katich returns for Pura Cup final

New South Wales will regain Simon Katich, their captain, for the Pura Cup final against Tasmania starting next Monday. Katich has recovered from an injured thumb and takes back the leadership from Dominic Thornely for the Hobart match.

The Blues will hope Katich, who has averaged 74.77 this season, can add some stability to a batting line-up that collapsed for 53 against the Tigers last week. Matthew Nicholson, the veteran fast bowler, also returns to the squad having missed their last game as he and his partner prepared for the birth of twins.

Beau Casson, whose seven Pura Cup games in 2006-07 have yielded a disappointing seven wickets at 72, makes way for Nathan Hauritz. Although Stuart MacGill has again been consistent, the Blues have struggled to draw results from their back-up spinners - Hauritz has three wickets at 58.66.

Ben Rohrer, the batsman who made 163 on debut last week, retained his place in the 13-man outfit. Peter Forrest, who impressed in his first two matches, is also in the squad but could be the unlucky batsman to make way for Katich in the starting line-up.

New South Wales squad Phil Jaques, Ed Cowan, Simon Katich (capt), Dominic Thornely, Ben Rohrer, Peter Forrest, Daniel Smith (wk), Grant Lambert, Moises Henriques, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Nicholson, Doug Bollinger, Stuart MacGill.