Former football star Colegrave set to make cricketing mark

Tasmanian selectors have produced a surprise today by including pace bowler Mark Colegrave in the squad for the Pura Cup clash with Queensland at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane next week.

Part of a thirteen-strong party, Colegrave joins wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer and ex-Victorian paceman David Saker as one of three players who will be hoping to make their maiden first-class appearances in Tasmanian colours in the match.

Into his thirties and a former local Australian Rules Football star, Colegrave was not thought to be among the leading candidates for a position in the senior side at the start of the season. But the tall, shaven-haired paceman has enjoyed a strong pre-season after being awarded a state contract for the first time in June this year. His impressive preparation work, and a sterling record over recent seasons with grade club Clarence, have combined to sway the Tigers' hierarchy.

The Brisbane match, to be played from October 26-29, will represent Tasmania's opening appearance in the Pura Cup this summer. The Tigers finished fifth in the competition last year and, with the exception of their brilliant 1997-98 season, have battled to win games consistently over recent years. The Bulls, for their part, have made one first-class outing for the season so far, finishing on the better side of a draw with Western Australia in Perth.

Young bowlers Scott Kremerskothen, Shannon Tubb and Brett Geeves are the unlucky players to miss out on senior team selection and will instead represent the state in the ACB Cup match against a Victorian second XI at the New Town Oval in Hobart from October 30-November 2.

The full Tasmanian sides are:

Pura Cup v Queensland, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, October 26-29: Jamie Cox (c), Ricky Ponting (vc), Clingeleffer, Colegrave, Gerard Denton, Michael DiVenuto, Andrew Downton, Andrew Dykes, Dene Hills, Daniel Marsh, Saker, Damien Wright, Shaun Young.

ACB Cup v Victorian 2nd XI, New Town Oval, Hobart, October 30-November 2: Mark Atkinson (c), Graeme Cunningham, Anthony Daly, Xavier Doherty, Geeves, Kremerskothen, Scott Mason, Jade Selby, Ben Targett, Brad Thomas, Tubb.