Brad Haddin makes his first appearance for the New South Wales Blues next Sunday when he dons the wicketkeeper's gloves in the season-opener of the Mercantile Mutual Cup against the Victorian Bushrangers.

Haddin is the only new face in the Blues team, replacing Phil Emery who retired at the end of last season after more than eleven years as NSW keeper. The 21 year-old Haddin, who was Australian Under-19 captain in 1996/97, kept wicket for the Canberra Comets in the Mercantile Mutual Cup competition over the past two seasons.

Michael Bevan will lead NSW in what is now a traditional October MMC game at North Sydney Oval. Bevan will join the Australian one-day team later this month for their three match series against Zimbabwe. Bevan and Shane Lee were both members of Australia's successful World Cup campaign earlier this year. Shane's brother Brett will open the bowling for the Blues after winning rave reviews during Australia A's series against India A in the United States last month.

The Blues squad to play the Victorian Bushrangers on October 10 at North Sydney Oval is: Michael Bevan (capt), Nathan Bracken, Shawn Bradstreet, Stuart Clark, Rodney Davison, Brad Haddin, Mark Higgs, Brett Lee, Shane Lee, Corey Richards, Gavin Robertson, Graeme Rummans.