Kasper named for Blues clash

Michael Kasprowicz will make his return as the XXXX Queensland Bulls' pace spearhead for Friday's day/night Mercantile Mutual Cup clash with NSW at the Gabba.

Kasprowicz, who underwent major shoulder surgery in April following Australia's tour of New Zealand, will play his first match for the Bulls this season.

His availability will offset the loss of Test paceman Andy Bichel who will play for Australia 'A' against the West Indies in Hobart from Saturday, along with fellow Bulls players Martin Love and Jimmy Maher.

Love will be playing his first match for Australia 'A' since taking on the West Indies in 1996-97 while it will be the first 'A' cap for Maher, who represented Australia in two One Day Internationals in 1997-98. Both players will play for the Prime Minister's XI on Thursday before traveling to Hobart for the four-day match.

Included in the Bulls side for Friday are debutants Jerry Cassell and Scott O'Leary. Both made their Pura Cup debuts last week in the draw against Victoria. O'Leary was to have made his one day debut in the abandoned match against the Western Warriors.

Allrounder Geoff Foley has also been recalled after being overlooked by the selectors for recent Bulls' matches.

Pace bowler Ashley Noffke has also been named following four weeks out with a badly bruised left heel but will face a fitness test on Thursday. Brendan Creevey will come into the side if Noffke is ruled out.

The Bulls will train at the Gabba from 8.30am on Thursday while NSW are expected to train at the Gabba on Thursday afternoon at a time to be confirmed.

Both teams are scheduled to make an appearance in the Queen Street Mall from 12.45pm on Thursday to help promote the game, the first match back at the Gabba for the Bulls since last season.

Friday's match will start at 2.30pm with the gates opening at 1.30pm.

XXXX QUEENSLAND BULLS: Stuart Law (c), Matthew Hayden, Jerry Cassell, Andrew Symonds, Geoff Foley, Lee Carseldine, Scott Prestwidge, Wade Seccombe, Adam Dale, Michael Kasprowicz, Ashley Noffke (subject to fitness), Scott O'Leary.

NSW BLUES: Shane Lee (c), Michael Bevan, Nathan Bracken, Shawn Bradstreet, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Mark Higgs, Stuart MacGill, Greg Mail (w/k), Corey Richards, Graeme Rummans, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh (one to be omitted).