Blues win toss, bat

Blundstone Arena is bathed in sunshine for Saturday's Ryobi Cup clash between the PKF Tasmanian Tigers and the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues.

Despite a number of international stars missing from both sides, there will be plenty of quality on display with strong teams named for the make-or-break clash.

Blues captain Stephen O'Keefe has won the toss and will bat first on a flat strip that looks full of runs, consigning the Tigers to a chase under lights later today.

The Tigers, second to South Australia on run-rate only, will be gunning for a win that would consolidate their place at the top of the table while the Blues desperately need to take the points if they’re to scramble up the ladder from their current fifth position.

Tasmania has handed a Ryobi Cup debut to both Jackson Bird and Ashton May with all-rounder Matt Johnston left out of the starting eleven.

Bird is likely to get new-ball duties alongside Ben Laughlin while James Faulkner and Jason Krejza will also be vital cogs in the home team’s bowling performance.

NSW will open the batting with Moises Henriques instead of the embattled Phil Hughes who will carry the drinks, denying him the opportunity to atone for his last start in Hobart when he failed in both innings of the Test match against New Zealand in December.

Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith round out a youthful and dangerous top four for the Blues and with Simon Katich and Ben Rohrer lurking in the middle order, there is no shortage of batting depth for the visitors.

The Blues will be hoping to post a score in excess of 250 given the excellent conditions on hand and will need to squeeze out every last run to halt a Tigers outfit who can go clear on top of the Ryobi Cup ladder with a win in Hobart.