Tigers, Blues keyed up for Bellerive battle

One of the teams will be attempting to end its season on a spectacular high and the other will be trying to avoid an unspeakable low. But anticipation of a positive result seems to be influencing the sides equally as Tasmania and New South Wales prepare for their Pura Cup clash starting at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart tomorrow.

For Tasmania, the match brings a shot at only the state's third appearance in a first-class final in Australian history.

For New South Wales, it represents Michael Slater's first step on the comeback trail (as captain no less) and potentially marks the starting point of the careers of a number of its emerging players.

"It's undoubtedly going to be a tough fight," said Tasmanian captain, Jamie Cox, this afternoon.

"There is a real, significant opportunity for us. There's a really good feeling among our group there could be something pretty big around the corner if we continue to do the things that we know have been serving us so well.

"But, before that, things are obvious (in terms of) what we have to do here."

Second-placed Tasmania is not guaranteed a spot in next week's Pura Cup Final even with an outright victory. But the collection of six points would make it immune from any challenge by fourth-placed South Australia and would also minimise the possibility that third-placed Western Australia might go past it on the table.

It's even possible that the Tigers could vault past ladder leader Queensland and host a first-ever decider at Bellerive.

But Slater, who makes his return to elite-level cricket at the end of a disastrous seven-month period that saw him lose coveted berths in both the national and state team, has come armed with other ideas.

"It's exciting. We've got young guys in on merit. Everyone's hungry and we're looking to finish the season on a high," said Slater.

"There's a lot to play for, for us. We're up against a side that's been playing well in recent times. And we're trying to turn around a couple of performances that we wish we hadn't had.

"It's great to be back. It's great to be leader. And we're looking to perform very well over the next four days.

While Slater conceded that he was leading one of the most inexperienced Blues sides in recent memory, his confidence was buoyed by the availability of batsman Michael Clarke after recent trouble with a broken toe. With the state attempting to haul itself off the bottom of the competition standings, he was also excited by the translation of outstanding grade form into spots in the team for new faces Phil Jaques, Vaughan Williams and Grant Lambert.

Tasmania received good news of its own late this afternoon when fast bowler Damien Wright passed a fitness test on an injured thigh. With the Bellerive pitch again hinting at providing early assistance to the seamers, he is expected to take his place in what is likely to be a four-pronged pace attack.

Teams:

Tasmania: Jamie Cox (c), Scott Mason, Michael Dighton, Michael Di Venuto, Daniel Marsh, Scott Kremerskothen, Sean Clingeleffer, Damien Wright, David Saker, Gerard Denton, Shane Jurgensen, Shannon Tubb.

New South Wales: Michael Slater (c), Corey Richards, Michael Clarke, Matthew Phelps, Phil Jaques, Vaughan Williams, Brad Haddin, Grant Lambert, Don Nash, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Dale Turner.