Overlooked by Test selectors, Usman Khawaja could open the batting for injury-hit Queensland in their Sheffield Shield clash against his former state NSW.
Khawaja, returning for the Bulls following the rain-marred Australia A clash with England in Hobart, is a likely choice to open with Queensland missing several top-order batsmen.
Nathan Reardon was ruled out on Tuesday after not recovering sufficiently from the blow in last week’s clash with Tasmania which left him with a badly bruised eye.
Greg Moller will return to the line-up in Reardon’s place while Alister McDermott, Ben Cutting and Michael Neser are also coming into the team which played the Tigers.
Cutting, who was also on Australia A duty, replaces Test quick Ryan Harris while McDermott and Neser will make their first Shield starts this summer in place of injured pair Luke Feldman (hamstring) and Cameron Gannon (side)
McDermott said the return of Khawaja was a timely one for the Bulls.
“It’s massive for us to have him back,” he said.
“It’s just unfortunate we’ve had so many injuries in the last two Shield games to not only our batsmen but to our bowlers as well.
“It’s good to have him back, he’d love to get a hundred for us against NSW, his former State.”
Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will captain the Blues, who have regained Moises Henriques from Australia duty in India and recalled spinner Stephen O’Keefe.
The Blues also have Test opener David Warner and spinner Nathan Lyon in their side for the clash at Allan Border Field.
Ex-Test quick Doug Bollinger has not been selected as he recovers from an abdominal strain while youngster Josh Hazlewood is out with shin soreness.
Teams
Queensland: James Hopes (capt), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Michael Neser, Nathan Reardon.
NSW: Brad Haddin (capt), Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Scott Henry, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Steve O’Keefe, Steven Smith, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner.
