Queensland teams to play Australia, Pakistan

Queensland Cricket has put a down payment on the future of the XXXX Queensland Bulls with a host of promising rookies gaining the chance to pit themselves against international opposition next week.

The Queensland selectors today named two teams to play practice matches next weekend against the Australian and Pakistan One Day International teams as part of their build-up to the TOWER Super Challenge II series in Melbourne and Brisbane in June.

The 40-over a side practice matches will see Queensland play Pakistan on Saturday June 8 and Queensland play Australia on Sunday June 9 at Allan Border Field, Albion.

Australia and Pakistan will be in camp in Brisbane from Wednesday next week before travelling to Melbourne to play two TOWER Super Challenge matches at Colonial Stadium on June 12 and 15 before returning to Brisbane for the series decider at the Gabba on June 19.

With Andy Bichel, Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher in the 13-man Australian squad and the likes of Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Law, Martin Love, Andrew Symonds, Lee Carseldine, Brendan Nash and Clinton Perren playing overseas, the Queensland selectors have looked to the next rung of prospective players for the matches.

Among those called up are Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy trio Daniel Payne, a member of the Bulls' Pura Cup championship team, Craig Philipson and Chris Simpson, young Wests allrounder Steve Paulsen, wicket-keeper Chris Hartley and rookie pace bowlers Steve Magoffin, Matthew Petrie and Nathan Rimmington.

Pakistan and Australia have also agreed that their excess players will play for the Queensland team to ensure all squad players will have the opportunity to practice prior to the series.

Bulls wicket-keeper Wade Seccombe will captain the Queensland team for each of the matches. Both games will start at 9.30am and admission is free on each day. Allan Border Field is located at 1 Bogan Street, Albion.

The Queensland selectors did not consider injured bowlers Adam Dale (shoulder), Matthew Anderson (knee), Mitchell Johnson (back) and Scott Brant (sidestrain) while Ashley Noffke and Joe Dawes are unavailable.

Tickets for TOWER Super Challenge II are available through Ticketmaster7 - phone 1300 13 61 22.

Queensland v Pakistan, Saturday, June 8: Wade Seccombe (c), Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Steve Magoffin, Damien Mackenzie, Steve Paulsen, Daniel Payne, Craig Philipson, Chris Simpson, Michael Sippel, plus two players from Pakstan squad. Coach: Terry Oliver.

Queensland v Australia, Sunday, June 9: Wade Seccombe (c), Duncan Betts, Ben Edmondson, Nathan Hauritz, Chris Hartley, James Hopes, Daniel Payne, Matthew Petrie, Nathan Rimmington, Michael Sippel, plus two players from Australian squad. Coach: Terry Oliver.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist (v-c), Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Jason Bichel, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Pakistan squad: Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq - (Vice-captain), Younis Khan, Rashid Latif, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis - (Captain), Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Sami