Dixon recalled for Bulls

Sunshine Coast opening batsman Troy Dixon will make his return to the XXXX Queensland Bulls side for next week's Pura Milk Cup clash with the Western Warriors in Perth.

Dixon, 30, and Sunshine Coast pace bowler Ashley Noffke were named today in place of Matthew Hayden and paceman Michael Kasprowicz in the Bulls line-up, with the pair to miss the rest of the domestic season on Test duties with the Australian side in New Zealand.

Dixon, a hard-hitting left-hander, will be playing his first match for the Bulls this season after making his first class debut in 1993-94 and playing his last match for Queensland in 1997-98 in the corresponding match in Perth.

He has been in good form for the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Scorchers in the Brisbane XXXX First Grade premiership this season, scoring an even-time century for the Sunshine Coast last week.

Noffke, who took six wickets on debut in the outright win over Victorian in the Pura Milk Cup clash last month, is set to vie with former Test paceman Scott Muller for a spot in the starting side, with left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson likely to hold his place despite the pace-friendly qualities of the WACA wicket.

Dixon, Noffke and Anderson will travel to Perth on Monday to join the Bulls squad which left today to prepare for Sunday's Mercantile Mutual Cup Final against the Warriors at the WACA.

Queensland need only collect first innings points against the Warriors in next week's match to ensure the Pura Milk Cup Final is played in Brisbane at Allan Border Field next month. The four-day game starts on Thursday.

XXXX Queensland Bulls v Western Warriors, Pura Milk Cup (March 2-5): Stuart Law (c), Jimmy Maher, Troy Dixon, Martin Love, Clinton Perren, Geoff Foley, Wade Seccombe, Andy Bichel, Adam Dale, Matthew Anderson, Ashley Noffke, Scott Muller. (12th man to be named).