Slater does himself no favours

SYDNEY, Oct 9 AAP - Michael Slater's prospects of being named in the first NSW Pura Cup side of the summer suffered a blow today when he was comfortably outscored by both of his major rivals.

Slater made just eight off 34 balls in a practice match at Bankstown Oval, currying little favour with selectors ahead of tomorrow's announcement of the NSW team to play Queensland starting Wednesday.

Other candidates scored heavily in early season grade and second XI games but Slater struggled for an invitational XI playing the NSW ING Cup team.

Corey Richards and Matthew Phelps looked in good touch and likely to retain their places for the opening Pura Cup game in Brisbane.

Phelps, who was yesterday left out of the Blues one day team, smashed 99 off 117 balls for the invitational team, having already scored three hundreds in his four previous grade and second XI innings.

Richards, who has also scored three centuries this season, scored 61 off 62 deliveries, helping hand NSW a 25-run win.

With Richards and Phelps demanding selection, Slater's chances of being named in the team tomorrow could hinge on the fitness of all-rounder Shane Lee.

A niggly knee problem is likely to prevent Lee from bowling in the match which might allow Slater to bat at number three.

While he was dropped from both the NSW one and four day teams last summer, Slater was recalled to captain the Blues in their final Pura Cup fixture of the campaign where he batted at first drop.

Richards and Phelps apart, the other batsmen expected to be named in a side to be captained by Simon Katich are Michael Bevan and Michael Clarke.

Bevan scored 62 off 88 balls today and added 137 off 143 balls with Richards as NSW made 7-257.

Katich scored 21 off 29 balls in his first outing for NSW and put on 60 for the fourth wicket with Clarke (36).

Left arm paceman Nathan Bracken took 2-32 off 10 overs while leg spinner Stuart MacGill went for 84 off 10 overs as the invitational side finished on 9-232.