Walter steps in for Hopes

Scott Walter, the left-arm bowler, has replaced James Hopes in Queensland's squad for their opening Sheffield Shield encounter against Western Australia at the WACA from Tuesday. Hopes, the Australian allrounder, will miss the game to recover from some minor injuries and prepare for the seven-match ODI series starting in India on October 25.

Walter, 20, adds to the Bulls' inexperienced line-up as they consider handing debuts to Glen Batticciotto and Wade Townsend. The legspinner Daniel Doran has been cut from the squad leaving Walter in contention to join a four-man pace attack with Ben Laughlin, Ben Cutting and Grant Sullivan. Walter took eight wickets for the Queensland Academy of Sport against the ACT last week and wants to appear in his second first-class match.

The Bulls are looking to spark their season after a narrow loss in Sunday's FR Cup match, which ended with Ashley Noffke, their former team-mate, stealing victory for his new side. Noffke and Steve Magoffin, another Queensland-raised fast man, have been named in Western Australia's squad, which also includes Michael Hogan, a signing from New South Wales who will be on debut if he makes the XI.

Queensland squad Nick Kruger, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Wade Townsend, Glen Batticciotto, Chris Hartley (wk), Nathan Reardon, Chris Simpson (capt), Ben Laughlin, Grant Sullivan, Ben Cutting, Scott Walter.

Western Australia squad Shaun Marsh, Wes Robinson, Luke Towers, Marcus North (capt), David Bandy, Adam Voges, Luke Ronchi (wk), Ashley Noffke, Brett Dorey, Steve Magoffin, Brad Knowles, Michael Hogan.