Smith gains batting role for the Blues

Klinger earns Pura Cup promotion

Cricinfo staff

December 12, 2006

Daniel Smith won't need his gloves if he appears against Victoria © Getty Images

Michael Klinger's outstanding one-day form has earned him a place in Victoria's Pura Cup squad to take on New South Wales at Melbourne starting on Friday. Brad Hodge has also been named in the Bushrangers' line-up after a disappointing week in which he missed two one-day games with a quadriceps injury that kept him from being considered for Australia's team for the third Test against England.

Victoria have also been strengthened by the addition of Mick Lewis, who has recovered from a hip muscle injury. However, it has been a like-for-like swap in the fast-bowling ranks, with Gerard Denton missing due to severe shin splints. Rob Quiney has been left out to make way for Klinger.

Daniel Smith, the wicketkeeper, has been chosen as a specialist batsman for New South Wales. Smith, who played against England in the tour game last month, is the understudy to Brad Haddin and the pair has been squeezed into a squad of 12.

Aaron O'Brien was replaced by Smith while Grant Lambert, the allrounder who is a consistent performer in the Sydney grade competition, won his first appointment with the Blues for the season. Nathan Hauritz was another who missed out as the Blues preferred the slow-bowling duo of Stuart MacGill and Beau Casson.

The fast bowler Scott Coyte has come in for Doug Bollinger, who has a side strain, and Moises Henriques was not considered due to a groin injury.

Victoria squad Lloyd Mash, Nick Jewell, Michael Klinger, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Jon Moss, Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Shane Harwood, Clinton McKay, Mick Lewis.

New South Wales squad Phil Jaques, Simon Katich (capt), Ed Cowan, Daniel Smith, Dominic Thornely, Brad Haddin (wk), Grant Lambert, Nathan Bracken, Beau Casson, Stuart MacGill, Matthew Nicholson, Scott Coyte.

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