Law back as Maher takes over for Bulls

BRISBANE - Stuart Law will break a Queensland cricketing record next week after selectors retained faith in the veteran batsmen by naming him for the opening Pura Cup clash against NSW at the Gabba.

Just two days after he was dumped for Sunday's one-day match against the Blues, Law was today named in the first-class squad to start Queensland's pursuit of a fourth consecutive Pura Cup crown.

Law will become Queensland's most capped interstate player when he walks on to the Gabba next Wednesday for his 124th domestic four-day match.

He joined Sam Trimble on 123 matches when the Bulls won last season's Pura Cup final against Tasmania at the Gabba.

Whether Law break's Trimble's record of 8647 runs depends on how the 33-year-old fits into the Queensland team without the captaincy.

Law has 7812 runs and is confident of playing several more seasons without the responsibility of leadership, which he has given away after eight seasons.

The former Australian one-day international has not scored a century at the Gabba since hitting 107 not out against the Blues in 1997-98.

He has played several crucial innings at the ground since without reaching the century which will ignite his post-leadership career.

Law played two invaluable knocks in the last two Pura Cup finals at the Gabba, including 69 against the Tigers.

Australian one-day batsman Jimmy Maher will captain Queensland after taking over when Law quit the role at the end of last season.

Maher said he was thrilled to have Law in his first-class team as the Bulls launched their season at Allan Border Field today, with their three Pura Cups on display.

The Bulls are the only team to win the trophy, which replaced the Sheffield Shield, and Maher said his players did not need to change the formula this season.

"We've performed well sticking to what we know best so there is no need to make any major changes," Maher said.

"I don't feel under any extra pressure as captain because we've got such a good bunch of blokes here who never stop trying."

Queensland selectors today preferred 23-year-old paceman Damien MacKenzie to teenage bowler Scott Brant in the only major change from the team which won last season's final.

MacKenzie joins a strong pace attack including Michael Kasprowicz, Ashley Noffke and Joe Dawes while left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson has also been named in the squad.

Queensland: Jimmy Maher (capt), Brendan Nash, Martin Love, Stuart Law, Andrew Symonds, Lee Carseldine, Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, Damien MacKenzie, Joe Dawes, Matthew Anderson (12th man to be named).