Hurt Bulls chase consistency

Consistency has been one of Queensland's strongest characteristics over the past decade, but a lack of uniformity in results last summer is the driving force behind their 2007-08 vision. As the modern domestic powerhouse, the Bulls appeared in the previous eight Pura Cup finals before missing out in March when Tasmania won for the first time. Victory in the FR Cup was a cherished achievement, but raising both major trophies is a new-season aim.

A lack of batting productivity was the main first-class problem and the top and middle orders were unable to provide major support during another fine campaign from the fast-bowling unit. However, the Queensland coach Terry Oliver will have a series of difficult decisions if all of his run-scoring options become available: Shane Watson, Jimmy Maher, Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Martin Love, Clint Perren, James Hopes and Ryan Broad.

Watson's hamstring injury, which is likely to curtail his international ambitions in the short-term, will rule him out of the opening games against Tasmania on Wednesday and Friday, but his desire to prove himself as an opener may help Oliver find some extra run-scoring strength. Love is due to return in November from a knee reconstruction and a subsequent clean-up operation and the batsmen know the difficulties of finding a spot.

"It's cramped up there," Hopes says. "If Shane doesn't get the Test job he'll bat in the top three somewhere. If it means Love drops to four, then he drops to four. Shane is capable of batting one to three for Queensland." Hopes was the benefactor when Watson re-injured his leg in South Africa, winning a place in Australia's one-day squad in India, and is due back for the second round of matches against New South Wales in Sydney.

Hopes, who received a Cricket Australia contract in the off-season, is not only hoping for more national action, he also wants to erase a domestic trait that Queensland have developed in the past couple of seasons. "We've got a nasty habit of doing well in one competition and not in the other," he says. "When you make ten finals in a row you've got to miss one eventually. Hopefully that one was a glitch last year and not the trend."

Maher is in his final season as captain and his senior bowling group will attempt to make the season memorable for a long-term team-mate. Ashley Noffke (30 wickets), the state's player of 2006-07, and Andy Bichel (45) were the key men last time and the Bulls will be boosted by Michael Kasprowicz's return from groin and back injuries. Kasprowicz delivered only a handful of balls last summer and his comeback adds more problems for opposing batsmen and the squad's fringe bowlers, such as Grant Sullivan, as they attempt to gain more opportunities.

The Bulls did not undergo any major changes during the winter - Lachlan Stevens and Brendan Nash missed contracts and Shane Jurgensen retired - but the young fast bowler Nathan Rimmington is out until Christmas following hip surgery. Chris Hartley, the wicketkeeper, also spent time in hospital last month after an allergic reaction to medication, leaving the Bulls with another early concern in their search for a summer of consistency.

Captain Jimmy Maher
Coach Terry Oliver

Squad Andy Bichel, Ryan Broad, Michael Buchanan, Daniel Doran, Chris Hartley (wk), Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Kasprowicz, Nick Kruger, Martin Love, Jimmy Maher, Greg Moller, Ashley Noffke, Aaron Nye, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Simpson, Grant Sullivan, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson. Rookies Ben Cutting, Nathan Reardon, Wade Townsend, Worrin Williams.

2006-07 results Pura Cup 4th, FR Cup 1st, Twenty20 5th.