A young left arm orthodox spinner, Matthew Anderson is currently making his way in the first-class game with Queensland. He comes in off a short approach to the wicket; has a neat, economical action; and bowls with excellent flight and control. Anderson grew up in Darwin and was a member of the Northern Territory's under-17 and under-19 sides at national carnivals, but moved to Brisbane just before his eighteenth birthday. Tall and rakishly built, he has been an excellent performer for his grade club, Sandgate-Redcliffe, ever since and was a natural choice in the state side as Paul Jackson's replacement upon the ex-Victorian's retirement at the end of the 1998-99 season. A measure of his value then came as he made an active contribution to Queensland's stellar Pura Milk Cup-winning season of 1999-2000 with 21 wickets, often on pitches unsympathetic to slow bowling. Competition from a number of other good young spinners ensured that his appearances were far more limited the following season, but he has retained his state contract and remains an excellent long-term option for the Bulls' selectors. (John Polack, August 2001)

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