Redbacks turn to uncapped pair

Tom Cooper has a chance to make his first appearance for South Australia after being named in the FR Cup squad to take on Tasmania in Hobart on Saturday. Cooper, a top-order batsman, was one of two New South Wales players lured to Adelaide for 2008-09.

Although he did not get a chance to represent the Blues, Cooper, 21, was highly regarded after being Australia's top batsman at the Under-19 World Cup in 2006. He has had a strong start to the club season in Adelaide and he hopes his first state appearance will come on the weekend.

"I couldn't quite crack it [in New South Wales] but then I got the opportunity to come down here which was too good to refuse," Cooper told the Advertiser. "I probably performed below what I thought I should have been doing in New South Wales so I've come down here for a fresh start."

Cooper has been named as a potential replacement for Michael Klinger, who is also in the 13-man squad but is in doubt due to injury. Mark Cosgrove has again been cut from the squad to make way for the returning Daniel Christian.

Another uncapped player is also in line for a potential debut with the fast bowler Peter George selected in a 12-man Sheffield Shield squad to play the Tigers starting on Monday. Tasmania are yet to name their first-class squad and have chosen an unchanged group for the FR Cup clash.

South Australia FR Cup squad Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Younis Khan, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Graham Manou (capt, wk), Aaron O'Brien, Mark Cleary, Dan Cullen, Shaun Tait, Allan Wise.

South Australia Sheffield Shield squad Daniel Harris, Tom Plant, Michael Klinger, Younis Khan, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Graham Manou (capt, wk), Aaron O'Brien, Mark Cleary, Shaun Tait, Allan Wise, Peter George.

Tasmania FR Cup squad Michael Dighton, Tim Paine (wk), Travis Birt, George Bailey, Dane Anderson, Daniel Marsh (capt), Luke Butterworth, Mark Divin, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Brendan Drew, Ben Hilfenhaus.