SYDNEY, Oct 7 AAP - NSW look certain to be without Australia A paceman Stuart Clark when it start its ING Cup cricket defence next weekend.

The right arm fast bowler tore ankle ligaments in his left ankle in the latter stages of Australia A's recent limited overs tour of South Africa.

Clark was the Blues' most consistently economical one day bowler last season conceeding just 3.65 an over.

Arguably the most improved cricketer in Australia last summer, 27-year-old Clark is also likely to miss the Blues' opening Pura Cup match against Queensland starting in Brisbane on October 16.

His place in the one day team could go to all-rounder Grant Lambert who took five wickets for NSW against Tasmania in a second XI match last week.

The only other forced change to the Blues team which beat Queensland in last season's final in Brisbane will involve prize new recruit Simon Katich.

Left handed batsman Katich, who has moved from Western Australia, blasted nine sixers in an innings of 177 in a club game for Randwick-Petersham on Saturday.

When the NSW team for Sunday is announced tomorrow, 27-year-old Katich should fill the vacancy left by another left hander Mark Higgs, who has moved to South Australia.

Higgs and Clark apart, the NSW selectors are likely to stick with the remainder of the team which beat the Bulls in last season's final.

However, international leg spinner Stuart MacGill who was the competition's leading wicket taker last season but was unavailable for the final, should be available despite sitting out last weekend with a hand injury.

Several NSW players displayed good form in round two of Sydney grade which finished today.

Red hot batsman Matthew Phelps followed up centuries in the first club round and the second XI game with 136 for Manly against Penrith today.

Australian limited overs star Michael Bevan made 38 while another of Manly's NSW representatives Shawn Bradstreet scored an unbeaten 60.

Corey Richards followed up twin centuries in the second XI match with 112 for Bankstown against University of New South Wales while Michael Clarke scored 78 for Western Suburbs against Sydney University.

Shane Lee, who is likely to captain the Blues in the absence of Steve Waugh made just seven for Mosman against Randwick-Petersham.

Michael Slater was unlikely to force his way back into the NSW one day line-up after being dismissed for four playing for University of NSW against Bankstown.

The NSW side announced tomorrow will play a practice match on Wednesday against a team made up of other squad members and the half dozen New Zealanders who are currently playing club cricket in Sydney.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.