Watson back for Queensland's finals race

Shane Watson will play as a batsman for Queensland in his return to high-level action after another bout of back stress fractures. The Bulls will be hopeful of a big contribution from Watson against New South Wales at the Gabba, starting on Thursday, as they attempt to jump from third place.

There are two rounds remaining in the Sheffield Shield and Queensland are two points behind Tasmania in the race to join Victoria in the final at the Junction Oval next month. Watson was on target for more Test action in December when he was diagnosed with the injury and will delay bowling until the end of the local season.

He has been having sessions at the Centre of Excellence under Greg Chappell, the head coach, to improve his shot-making. "I have been working with Greg on simplifying my technique over the last two weeks to ensure there is no inhibition on my game," Watson said in the Courier-Mail.

"I'm feeling great - I am looking forward to getting out in the middle. I won't be bowling until after the season finishes. The Ashes are the big goal."

Ben Laughlin, the medium-fast bowler, has also been recalled for what is Martin Love's final first-class appearance at the Gabba. Laughlin was part of Queensland's one-day final win over Victoria on Sunday.

The match will be Andrew Symonds' 100th first-class contest for Queensland. "I've had a lot of fun and enjoyed a bit of success in what has been a golden era for the game in Queensland, and I reckon we've got the makings of another good run after seeing the way the young blokes went in winning the title on the weekend," Symonds said. "People probably wrote them off at the start of the season so I'm really pleased to see them enjoying themselves and giving it a shake.''

Symonds has had a poor season with the bat, scoring 118 runs in five Sheffield Shield fixtures, but said he was "reasonably happy". "I'm really looking forward to these next two games because there's still a bit of life in the season for us. The confidence is bubbling along nicely in the group and we'll see whether we can enjoy a bit more success and have a bit more fun this summer."

Mitchell Starc, the left-arm fast bowler, has come into the New South Wales squad for Aaron Bird, who has been suspended for an illegal action. Starc holds a rookie contract with the Blues and was due to fly to Brisbane on Wednesday.

New South Wales have rejected the chance to give David Warner, the Australia limited-overs international, a first-class debut due to his unimpressive club and second XI form. The fifth-placed Blues are unchanged despite an innings defeat to Victoria last week and must win their final two games to have a chance of reaching the final.

Queensland squad Chris Simpson (capt), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Chris Hartley (wk), James Hopes, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Martin Love, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson.

New South Wales squad Dominic Thornely (capt), Beau Casson, Burt Cockley, Peter Forrest, Moises Henriques, Phil Jaques, Usman Khawaja, Grant Lambert, Greg Mail, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith (wk), Mitchell Starc.