Blues squad for Marsh Cup Final

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The NSW Blues have named an extended 14-player squad for this Sunday’s Marsh One Day Cup Final, against Western Australia at Bankstown Oval, with Sean Abbott returning from a hand injury and potential debutant Tanveer Sangha notable inclusions.

Kurtis Patterson will captain the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, who along with David Warner, Steve Smith, Moises Henriques and Daniel Sams, are all involved in the Indian Premier League.

They are replaced in the squad by Abbott, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, batsmen Jason Sangha, Nick Larkin, Jack Edwards and fast bowler Liam Hatcher. Australian stars Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have all been named.

The Marsh Cup Final will begin a big week of finals for the Blues after qualifying for the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final with a draw against Queensland over Easter, who NSW meet again in the red-ball decider starting April 15.

Abbott split the webbing between his third and fourth fingers on his right hand during the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart late last month and head coach Phil Jaques said his progress towards a return in the One Day Final is “promising”.

“When the Shield game was on, he had a training run and got through everything that was required of him. He still has got a couple of things that he needs to tick off but is looking very good for the game,” said Jaques.

Sangha claimed 21 wickets for Sydney Thunder at an average of 18.28 during his debut Big Bash campaign this season earning him national selection in the Australian T20 squad who toured New Zealand in late February and early March.

Jaques said Tanveer Sangha’s inclusion provided the option of “playing two spinners if conditions suited.”

“It’s his first year in the Blues squad and he made his Big Bash debut earlier in the season then toured New Zealand with the Australian T20 side. He’s played in some big games and we don’t think the occasion would overawe him if we decided to go down that road of playing an extra spinner.”

It is the first time since 2013/14 that NSW has qualified for both the Men’s One-Day and Shield finals, and first time under Jaques, in his third season as head coach.

“It’s an absolute pleasure coming into work every day and working with the guys in our squad. The fact that everyone wants to come in and learn and improve as cricketers every day makes coming to work very easy.”

NSW Blues squad for the Marsh One Day Cup Final, Bankstown Oval, Sunday April 11

Kurtis PATTERSON (Captain)
Sean ABBOTT
Oliver DAVIES
Ben DWARSHUIS
Jack EDWARDS
Matthew GILKES
Liam HATCHER
Josh HAZLEWOOD
Daniel HUGHES
Nick LARKIN
Nathan LYON
Jason SANGHA
Tanveer SANGHA
Mitchell STARC