Queensland lose Hopes with thigh strain

James Hopes has failed to recover from his thigh strain in time for Queensland's limited-overs match against South Australia at Brisbane on Wednesday. Hopes hurt his leg on the first day of the Pura Cup clash between the two sides on Friday but the Bulls remain confident it will not be a long-term injury.

Ryan Broad has been rewarded for his 95 in Queensland's first innings and will replace Hopes at the top of the order. Ray Phillips, the Bulls' chairman of selectors, said Hopes was expected to be fit for the Ford Ranger Cup final on February 25 should the top-of-the-table Queensland make it.

"If the final had been this week, then James probably could have played at a pinch but with ten days until the final, the medical staff recommended he miss Wednesday's game in order to be 100% for February 25," Phillips said.

The Bulls have made two more forced changes from their last one-day game more than two weeks ago, with Shane Watson now on national duty and Michael Kasprowicz out with an abdominal strain. Nathan Reardon, the allrounder, and Scott Brant, the fast bowler, were both included in the 12-man squad.

South Australia made three changes to their line-up, recalling Callum Ferguson and regaining Darren Lehmann from his hamstring injury and Shaun Tait from his ODI call-up. Ken Skewes, Mark Cleary and James Smith made way for the returning trio.

Queensland squad Jimmy Maher (capt), Ryan Broad, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Aaron Nye, Michael Buchanan, Chris Simpson, Nathan Reardon, Chris Hartley (wk), Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Scott Brant.

South Australia squad Matthew Elliott, Daniel Harris, Callum Ferguson, Mark Cosgrove, Darren Lehmann (capt), Nathan Adcock, Simon Roberts, Graham Manou (wk), Ryan Harris, Jason Gillespie, Dan Cullen, Shaun Tait.