Fast bowler David Saker has capped a memorable season by being named Tasmania's Player of the Year at a glittering award ceremony in Hobart tonight

Brad Hodge and Matthew Elliott's recent domination of Victorian cricket was formally recognised tonight when the pair took away the major prizes from the state's Gala Awards night at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.

International cricket will again move indoors when Pakistan visits Australia for a series of three limited-overs matches in June, it was announced in Melbourne today.

Former Australian Test umpire Steve Randell will be granted parole and released from a Hobart prison later this month.

Queensland has clinched its third successive first-class title and its fifth crown in the space of eight years after it emphatically set the seal on a 235-run victory over Tasmania in the 2001-02 Pura Cup Final here at the 'Gabba ground in Brisbane

Queensland captain Stuart Law has paid tribute to the depth of his state's resources and the quality of its emerging players in the wake of its 235-run victory over Tasmania in the 2001-02 Pura Cup Final here in Brisbane today.

Tasmanian captain Jamie Cox is looking beyond short-term pain and to an exciting future for his state after its 235-run defeat at the hands of Queensland in the Pura Cup Final in Brisbane today.

Queensland is just a day away from claiming its fifth domestic first-class title after it continued to remorselessly shut Tasmania out of the 2001-02 Pura Cup Final here at the 'Gabba in Brisbane today.

All the ingredients for Queensland's fifth first-class title in eight years are in place after batsmen Brendan Nash (96) and Martin Love (93) served up a run-feast for the Bulls on the third day of the Pura Cup Final against Tasmania here in Brisbane

As warmer temperatures returned to Brisbane, Queensland applied a blowtorch to Tasmania and decisively took control of the 2001-02 Pura Cup Final between the teams here at the 'Gabba today.

An old ghost returned to haunt Tasmania, and two of Queensland's most seasoned campaigners reversed the trend of previously mediocre seasons, as déjà vu and a break with custom were delicately intertwined on the opening day of the 2001-02 Pura Cup

Tasmanian captain Jamie Cox anticipates that a sense of history will inspire his players when his team meets Queensland in the Pura Cup Final starting at the 'Gabba tomorrow.

A chronicle of the outstanding moments, incidents and performances in the 19-year history of interstate first-class finals in Australia.

Though it will be chasing a spot in the record books, Queensland captain Stuart Law and his side will be treating the Pura Cup Final against Tasmania as just another game of cricket when it begins here in Brisbane tomorrow.

One bats at the top of the order; the other at the bottom

It almost had to happen, really

Guarded optimism pervaded both the Queensland and Tasmanian camps today as key players Stuart Law and Damien Wright took major steps forward in their races against time to overcome injuries ahead of the Pura Cup Final starting here on Friday.

Queensland selectors are likely to wait until Wednesday before making a decision on the availability of Stuart Law for the team's Pura Cup Final clash against Tasmania, starting at the 'Gabba on Friday.

Left arm paceman Andrew Downton and left arm spinner Xavier Doherty have been included in the enlarged squad that Tasmania will take to Brisbane for the Pura Cup Final against Queensland, starting at the 'Gabba on Friday.

It may have been a popular refrain 12 months ago but predictions of Australia's impending decline don't really look like materialising right now