Hauritz forced to miss Bangladesh game

Injury has forced Nathan Hauritz to relinquish his place and the captaincy in the Queensland Academy of Sport team to play Bangladesh in Innisfail tomorrow. The side will now be led by James Hopes.

Off-spinner Hauritz injured a hamstring earlier this week and withdrew from the side yesterday. His place in the side has been taken by Wynnum-Manly allrounder Chris Simpson, who made his first-class debut for Queensland last season.

The game is a practice match for the Bangladeshis before their three-match one-day series against Australia starting in Cairns on Saturday.

Bangladesh will use the match to prepare for their opening VB Series ODI against Australia at Bundaberg Rum Stadium in Cairns on Saturday. Tomorrow's match starts at 9.30am at the Innisfail TAFE College ground. Admission is free.

Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell Jnr has been working with local cricket officials to prepare the wicket this week.

The team for tomorrow's match is: Daniel Payne, Jerry Cassell, Duncan Betts, Aaron Maynard, Chris Simpson, Craig Philipson, Chris Hartley, Peter Reimers, James Hopes (c), Mitchell Johnson, Damien MacKenzie, Matthew Petrie.

Meanwhile, left-arm pace bowler Scott Brant will return home next week from his county stint with Essex due to a knee injury.

Brant requires an arthroscope and Queensland Cricket medical staff felt it was best for him to undergo the procedure and subsequent rehabilitation in Brisbane.