Love replaces Law

Martin Love will lead Queensland for the first time tomorrow with regular Bulls captain Stuart Law ruled out by a hand injury which could cost him a Pura Cup final start.

Law, who captained the Bulls side to its first Sheffield Shield title in 1994-95 and also to win the last two Pura Cups, today withdrew from the match against Victoria at the Gabba.

Law, who made his comeback from a broken knuckle as the Bulls took first innings points over NSW earlier this month, suffered a heavy blow on the same hand while fielding at the weekend.

He attempted to bat today but was ruled out, with Clinton Perren returned to the Bulls line-up in his place.

Queensland, already without internationals Matthew Hayden, Jimmy Maher, Andy Bichel and Nathan Hauritz, now faces the prospect of losing Law long-term with a home Cup final next week in store.

Coach Bennett King said Law's future was uncertain until the full extent of his injuries were known.

Queensland Cricket today confirmed Love would take over the captaincy in Law's absence.

Taking on the role for the first time, Love would become Queensland's 47th first-class cricket captain.

"Obviously it will be a great honour to captain Queensland but I won't be doing anything radically different in terms of the team," Love said.

Love, who captained the Prime Minister's XI last week against the ATSIC Chairman's XI, will shoulder the additional burden of leading the Bulls' rookie batting line-up in the absence of the Pura Cup's leading scorer Maher.

But the Bulls, who are chasing their third consecutive Pura Cup win, could cope with the dramatic reshuffle, King said.

"We've had players coming in and out of the side all year through injuries or selections," King said.

"The resilience of the Bulls has been the ability to cope with change."

The Bulls will face a Bushrangers side aiming to make amends for its last result, an embarrassing 37-run defeat to the Western Warriors in which the Bushrangers were bowled out for 98 in the second innings.

Queensland only needs first innings points to ensure it makes and hosts the final.

But an outright defeat for the Bulls coupled with outright wins for Tasmania and WA could result in Queensland missing the Cup decider.

Squads:

Queensland: Brendan Nash, Daniel Payne, Martin Love (capt), Clinton Perren, Andrew Symonds, Lee Carseldine, Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, Joe Dawes, Scott Brant, Matthew Anderson (12th man to be named).

Victoria: Matthew Elliott (capt), Matthew Mott, Brad Hodge, Jon Moss, Nick Jewell, Cameron White, Darren Berry, Andrew MacDonald, Mathew Inness, Will Carr, Mick Lewis, Bryce McGain (12th man to be named).