NORTH Albury's preparation for the finals has taken a hit with all-rounder Greg Daniel's future up in the air.
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Daniel, who will captain CAW's O'Farrell Cup side against Wagga at Bunton Park on Sunday, has ruled himself unavailable for club cricket.
"He's just unavailable at the moment," Hopper skipper Ashley Borella said.
"It's a week by week basis.
"He's trying to sell his house.
"He's trying to get that up and going."
Daniel last played for North Albury in the Twenty20 final against Lavington at Wodonga's John Flower Oval on January 27.
He has made 240 runs at 30 and taken 17 wickets at 25 for the Hoppers this season.
While the former Cricketer of the Year winner's absence is a blow for North Albury in the countdown to the finals, Borella is free to play against Albury on Saturday.
He was found not guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by the CAW tribunal following a clash with East Albury's Will McIntosh on February 9.
Borella was given a reprimand for making negligent contact.
"You never know how these sort of things are going to go so it's good to be able to forget about it now and look towards Saturday," Borella said.
"It's one of those things that happens nearly every second weekend where there is slight contact between the batter, bowler or fielder and unfortunately it transpired and we had to go to the tribunal.
"It's good to be able to move on."
East Albury president Andrew Wilkes declined to comment.
Meanwhile, CAW coach Daryl Tuffey has named a powerful line-up to play Wagga with Wodonga star Robbie Jackson the only notable absentee.
Jackson has ruled himself unavailable.
"Rob told us a couple of weeks ago he couldn't play," Tuffey said.
"We've got a very good side still though.
"It's going to be our hardest game so the boys are looking forward to it."
CAW's campaign has been marred by forfeits with Leeton, Cootamundra, West Wyalong and Young unable to field sides.
Although Wagga has had the wood on CAW in recent Twenty20 battles, Tuffey said the 55-over format presented different challenges.
"We think it suits us," Tuffey said.
"Our batting goes deep and the boys are keen to finish the rep season strongly."
Wagga held the cup over last winter before losing to Holbrook.
The match starts at 10.30am.
The team is: G. Daniel (c), R and N. Brown, B. Simmons, S. O'Connor, M. Crawshaw, S. Stephens, K. Arendarcikas, J. Craig, B.J. Garvey, C. Suidgeest.
