Katich to lead Western Warriors against the Queensland Bulls

Gun batsman Simon Katich will debut as WA captain when he leads the Western Warriors into battle against Queensland in the Pura Milk Cup match starting at the WACA Ground this Thursday, 2 March.

Katich, a former Australian under-19 skipper, has been promoted to lead the side in the absence of Tom Moody (back), Adam Gilchrist (New Zealand), Justin Langer (New Zealand), Damien Martyn (New Zealand) and Brendon Julian (knee surgery).

It will be the 24-year-old Katich's 25th Pura Milk Cup match. In 24 matches, he's scored 1692 runs @ 44.52.

WA has made two changes to the side that won outright against Tasmania in Hobart earlier this month with batsman Chris Rogers and strike bowler Jo Angel recalled in place of New Zealand tourists Langer and Martyn.

Angel needs three wickets to hit the 300-mark in Pura Milk Cup matches. He's taken 297 wickets @ 24.40. Angel is already WA's fourth leading wicket-taker in Pura Milk Cup matches behind Terry Alderman (384), Dennis Lillee (323) and Tony Lock (302).

Western Warriors: Simon Katich (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Sean Cary, Brad Hogg, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Gavin Swan, Mark Walsh, Brad Williams.

Queensland Bulls: Stuart Law (captain), Matthew Anderson, Andrew Bichel, Adam Dale, Troy Dixon, Geoff Foley, Martin Love, Jimmy Maher, Scott Muller, Ashley Noffke, Clinton Perren, Wade Seccombe.