Kasprowicz withdraws from Redbacks match

XXXX Queensland Bulls pace bowler Michael Kasprowicz today put team before self by withdrawing from tomorrow's Pura Cup clash against the Southern Redbacks at the Gabba.

Right-arm pace bowler Brendan Creevey, who will be making his return to first class cricket after an absence of more than a season, will replace him in the team.

Kasprowicz, who was set to make his return to first class cricket tomorrow after undergoing major shoulder surgery in April, made the decision to stand down after discussing the matter with coach Bennett King, captain Stuart Law and physiotherapist Stephen Partridge following training this morning.

"My shoulder feels great but I was concerned that I wouldn't be completely ready to play in a four-day match and I didn't want to let the team down if I wasn't going to be 100 percent certain that I would get through," a disappointed Kasprowicz said.

Kasprowicz bowled at full pace during training and looked unhindered in his run-up and delivery. But he conceded that his decision to withdraw was motivated by the question of how he would bowl later in the innings rather than his initial spells.

"Even though I have bowled a fair few overs recently, I don't believe I had the evidence that I was ready for a four-day game where it was likely that I would have to bowl some long spells," he said.

Kasprowicz intends to play grade cricket for University this weekend and hopes to be available for selection for the Bulls next Pura Cup match, against Tasmania in Hobart, starting on January 3.

Creevey last played a first class match for Queensland in 1998-99, and has played 11 first class matches to date for the Bulls, taking 28 wickets at 29.60.

XXXX Queensland Bulls v Southern Redbacks: Stuart Law (c), Jerry Cassell, Jimmy Maher, Martin Love, Andrew Symonds, Lee Carseldine, Wade Seccombe, Brendan Creevey, Adam Dale, Joe Dawes, Scott O'Leary, Matthew Pascoe (12th man to be named).

Southern Redbacks: Darren Lehmann (c), Greg Blewett (v-c), Shane Deitz, David Fitzgerald, Mark Harrity, Ben Johnson, Graham Manou, Mick Miller, Peter McIntyre, Brett Swain, Jeff Vaughan, Paul Wilson. (12th man to be named).