Leading Bushrangers look to old and new

Victoria's big-name batsmen are back in the run into the Sheffield Shield final, but the injury-hit side has also included a rookie in its line-up for Thursday's game against Tasmania in Hobart. With Dirk Nannes and Clint McKay both suffering from side strains and Shane Harwood carrying an ankle injury, the selectors have called Steve Gilmour, a right-arm fast bowler, into the 12-man squad.

Gilmour, an uncapped 22-year-old, will join an outfit including the batsmen Cameron White, David Hussey and Rob Quiney, who missed the innings win over New South Wales due to their international commitments. Damien Wright, Darren Pattinson and John Hastings, who took five second-innings wickets on debut last week, are the other fast bowlers in the squad, which has cut Lloyd Mash and Adam Crosthwaite.

"I'm thrilled to be heading to Hobart with the squad," Gilmour said. "Obviously a few injuries have created an opportunity for me, but my involvement with the Bushrangers this season has improved my cricket enormously."

Victoria will host the final at the Junction Oval from March 13 - the MCG has been booked for a bushfire concert - but will have to recover from their demoralising 12-run defeat to Queensland in Sunday's one-day decider. "Cricket is all about challenges and as a group we're facing one now," the coach Greg Shipperd said. "We can't dwell overly on what has been. Our focus has to be to moving forward and making the most of our upcoming opportunities. We're very determined to do that."

Tasmania have made one change to their squad with the batsman David Dawson coming in for Rhett Lockyear, who scored 12 and 18 in the tight win over Western Australia last week. The Tigers sit in second, two points ahead of Queensland, and can confirm their place in the final with wins in the last two regular games of the season.

South Australia will attempt to keep their slim finals hopes alive with a victory over Western Australia in Perth. The Redbacks beat Queensland last week to sit on 14 points, six behind the Warriors, who are fourth. Liam Davis, the opener, will replace Marcus Stoinis for the hosts and will turn out in his first Shield match since being struck in the face by a Peter Siddle delivery in November.

Victoria squad Cameron White (capt), Steve Gilmour, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Nick Jewell, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Matthew Wade (wk), Damien Wright.

Tasmania squad David Dawson, Dan Marsh (capt), George Bailey, Luke Butterworth, David Dawson, Gerard Denton, Alex Doolan, Chris Duval, Brett Geeves, Jason Krejza, Tim Macdonald, Tim Paine, Jonathan Wells.

South Australia squad Graham Manou (capt, wk), Daniel Harris, James Smith, Michael Klinger, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Aaron O'Brien, Daniel Christian, Cullen Bailey, Mark Cleary, Jake Haberfield, Peter George.

Western Australia squad Adam Voges (capt), David Bandy, Liam Davis, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, Michael Johnson (wk), Steve Magoffin, Josh Mangan, Luke Pomersbach, Drew Porter, Wes Robinson, Luke Towers.