Busy Hopes locks in Queensland game

James Hopes, the Queensland allrounder, will be rushed back to Brisbane for Saturday's vital FR Cup clash against Victoria for his second match in two days. Hopes is in Australia's squad for Friday's ODI against West Indies but wasn't picked in the Twenty20 outfit, leaving the Bulls to rely on him in a match they must win to reach the final.

"We've spoken with James and he is keen to play on the Saturday considering he hasn't had a lot of cricket to date," the coach Trevor Barsby said. Hopes is the state's most important player as he can open the batting and contribute important overs with his medium pace.

Victoria won't be as lucky as Cameron White, Dirk Nannes and David Hussey are in the Twenty20 squad to face West Indies on Sunday and Tuesday. However, they may call on Clint McKay, the fast bowler, when they choose their side on Thursday.

The Bulls were leading the competition for much of the season but the successful team on Saturday will host the final. "It's pretty basic for us - win and we're in," Barsby said. "Lose and we're out."

In the Sheffield Shield, New South Wales have been forced into four changes for the game against South Australia in Adelaide from Friday. The national promotions of David Warner and Steven Smith give chances to Ben Rohrer and Grant Lambert while Moises Henriques returns from a groin injury. The wicketkeeper Daniel Smith will miss the contest with a finger problem and has been replaced in the 13-man squad by Peter Nevill.

Queensland FR Cup squad James Hopes, Chris Hartley (wk), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Craig Philipson, Chris Lynn, Nathan Reardon, Chris Simpson (capt), Ben Cutting, Ben Laughlin, Alister McDermott, Nathan Rimmington.

New South Wales Shield squad Phillip Hughes, Phil Jaques, Simon Katich (capt), Peter Forrest, Moises Henriques, Dominic Thornely, Ben Rohrer, Grant Lambert, Stephen O'Keefe, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Trent Copeland.