BRISBANE - Guarded optimism pervaded both the Queensland and Tasmanian camps today as key players Stuart Law and Damien Wright took major steps forward in their races against time to overcome injuries ahead of the Pura Cup Final starting here on Friday.

Law, attempting to offset the effects of a broken finger on his right hand, batted through a pain-free 40 minutes in two separate sessions in sweltering heat at the 'Gabba.

He is now expected to be passed fit after undergoing fielding drills at the his team's final training session tomorrow morning, ensuring that there will be no late change to the 12-man squad named by the Bulls' selection panel earlier this week.

Wright, meanwhile, made significant ground in proving that he has recovered from a thigh strain that first surfaced three weeks ago and flared again in Tasmania's closing-round match against New South Wales in Hobart last week.

The key strike bowler underwent an intensive test as part of a 90-minute practice session in rising temperatures in the middle of a cloudless Brisbane day, impressing coaching staff with his performance.

His readiness for the match will not be established until he completes another heavy workout tomorrow, but his combination of talents as a productive lower order batsman and new ball bowler ensure that he remains a crucial figure in the pre-match planning of the visitors.

The Tigers' hierarchy is keen to upset an inexperienced Queensland batting line-up by taking four pace bowlers into the match, and their enthusiasm was not swayed this morning even as attention turned to the white and increasingly hard-baked 'Gabba strip prepared by curator Kevin Mitchell.

Remaining moisture is likely to be further drained under the effects of more hot weather tomorrow but the pitch is expected to provide consistent pace and bounce, ensuring that the Tasmanians are likely to turn to left arm paceman Andrew Downton in the event that Wright fails to make the final eleven.

Queensland will be chasing an unprecedented third first-class title in succession when play begins on Friday, while Tasmania will be seeking its first-ever crown.

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