Cassell to lead QAS

Sandgate-Redcliffe opening batsman Jerry Cassell will captain the Queensland Academy of Sport team in their opening ACB Cup 2nd XI match against the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in Brisbane next week.

Cassell, fresh from a scintillating 177 for City in their win over Country in Biloela on the weekend, will take on the QAS captaincy for the first time.

The right-hander, who made his Pura Cup and Mercantile Mutual Cup debuts for the XXXX Queensland Bulls last season, will lead a youthful QAS side into the clash at Allan Border Field at Albion.

The match, from Monday through to Thursday, will also feature a return to action by left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson, who returned over the weekend from a playing stint in the United Kingdom.

Anderson took 50 wickets on the way to helping Norwich win the East Anglia Premier League.

The QAS team also contains Bulls squad members James Hopes, who scored 110 for City on Saturday, left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson, wicket-keeper Chris Hartley, allrounder Nathan Hauritz, left-hand bat Brendan Nash and Queensland Cricket rookie contracted players Damien Mackenzie and Craig Philipson.

QAS v CBCA, Sept 17-20, Allan Border Field: Jerry Cassell (c), Matthew Anderson, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Lance Kahler, Damien Mackenzie, Brendan Nash, Daniel Payne, Matthew Petrie, Craig Philipson.