Vics careful of Blues
Fri, 12 February 2010
It may be a clash between the Sheffield Shield's top and bottom teams but Victoria won't be taking New South Wales lightly when the two sides go head-to-head at the MCG from Friday. The defending four-day champions are again the pacesetters in 2009/10 with 22 points from their six games, thanks largely to three outright victories, and they can increase their lead over the second-placed Bulls (20) - who have played an extra game - to eight with maximum points at home. The Blues meanwhile are in desperate need of six points otherwise they will be just about out of the running in this competition as they have only eight points overall and would be spotting the Bulls 12 points with only three games left if they fail to claim any points here. Regular Victorian skipper Cameron White and fast bowler Clint McKay are unavailable because of Australian duties, while quicks Peter Siddle (back) and Shane Harwood (shoulder) are also on the long-term injury list. They've since been joined by batsman Rob Quiney (groin) and exciting young fast bowler James Pattinson, who has suffered a stress fracture in his foot that will almost certainly rule him out for the rest of the summer. Pattinson has impressed throughout the summer in all three forms of the game, not only helping his team to the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash title but also shaking up opposing teams in the Sheffield Shield and Ford Ranger Cup competitions. Pattinson's older brother Darren, who played one Test for England a couple of years ago, returns to the squad along with left-armer Will Sheridan, with Michael Hill likely to take Quiney's place in the XI after being 12th man for the Bushrangers' previous Shield game. Skippered by Test opener Simon Katich, the Blues have recalled young quick Josh Hazlewood after he helped Australia claim the Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand, with Grant Lambert making way, while Trent Copeland will be looking to build on his amazing debut. Copeland grabbed 10 wickets for the match against Queensland at the SCG in what was a memorable first game, his haul including 8-92 in the first innings of the one-sided encounter as his team finally claimed maximum points for the first time this season. Victoria David Hussey (c), Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Michael Hill, Jon Holland, Nick Jewell, Lloyd Mash, Andrew McDonald, Darren Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Will Sheridan, Matthew Wade, Damien Wright (12th man to be named) New South Wales Simon Katich (c ), Trent Copeland, Moises Henriques, Josh Hazlewood, Steve O'Keefe, Peter Forrest, Steve Smith, Daniel Smith, Phil Hughes, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Starc, David Warner (12th man to be named)
