Watson in line for Pura Cup action

Shane Watson is due to make his domestic return against South Australia on Friday after a series of injury setbacks. After being hopeful of taking part in the Ashes, Watson was ruled out of each of the first three Tests with a hamstring injury suffered in the lead-up to Brisbane last month.

However, Watson has travelled with Queensland for their one-day and four-day games in Adelaide and has been named in the Pura Cup squad. While Watson's international prospects have improved with his recovery, Greg Blewett, the South Australia batsman, has dropped further in the minds of his state's selectors after he was cut from the limited-overs squad for the clash on Wednesday.

"It was very disappointing to leave Greg out," Paul Nobes, the chairman of selectors, said. "Unfortunately, Greg's performances in the first three matches of the one-day competition have not been enough to warrant his selection." Daniel Harris is Blewett's replacement in the 13-man squad while Gary Putland has retained his spot.

Queensland have called Scott Brant back into their outfit alongside Nathan Rimmington and Craig Philipson as they replace Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden. Either Johnson or Symonds could be squeezed back in if they are not chosen in the Test side at Perth.

Jimmy Maher, the captain, has been picked in both squads despite a minor groin strain that prevented him from fielding in the win over Victoria on Friday. Rimmington is in line to make the Pura Cup XI after the Queensland selectors decided not to push for Michael Kasprowicz, who picked up three wickets for his grade club at the weekend as he regains fitness following back and groin problems. South Australia have made no changes to their Pura Cup outfit.

Queensland FR Cup squad Jimmy Maher (capt), James Hopes, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Lachlan Stevens, Chris Simpson, Michael Buchanan, Chris Hartley (wk), Andrew Bichel, Scott Brant, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Rimmington.

South Australia FR Cup squad Matthew Elliott, Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Darren Lehmann (capt), Graham Manou (wk), Ryan Harris, Jason Gillespie, Mark Cleary, Dan Cullen, Shaun Tait, Gary Putland.

Queensland Pura Cup squad Jimmy Maher (capt), Lachlan Stevens, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, James Hopes, Chris Hartley (wk), Andrew Bichel, Daniel Doran, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Rimmington.

South Australia Pura Cup squad Matthew Elliott, Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Darren Lehmann (capt), Shane Deitz (wk), Jason Gillespie, Dan Cullen, Cullen Bailey, Paul Rofe, Shaun Tait.