Oliver extends Queensland contract

Terry Oliver's coaching contract with Queensland has been extended until the end of next season. Queensland reached the Pura Cup and ING Cup finals under Oliver in 2003-04, losing both matches, and this will be his third summer in charge.

Oliver said his team was progressing well and he hoped it would continue to act as a stepping stone to the national team. "It's a great honour to continue as coach as I think we are really developing as a group as well as individually," he said. "Our charter is to produce Australian players and through achieving that goal, we will hopefully produce some telling performances on the field for Queensland."

Damien Mullins, the chairman of Queensland Cricket, was pleased Oliver had decided to stay on. "Terry has demonstrated a number of admirable qualities in his time in the job so far and Queensland Cricket believes he will continue to excel in the role as the Bulls head coach," he said.

Queensland play New South Wales in the opening match of the ING Cup at the Gabba on Sunday.

Queensland Jimmy Maher (c), Martin Love, Andrew Symonds, Clinton Perren, Aaron Nye, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, Chris Simpson, Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Shane Jurgensen, Craig Philipson. (12th man to be named).

New South Wales Speed Blitz Blues: Brad Haddin (c), Nathan Bracken, Shawn Bradstreet, Stuart Clark, Phil Jaques, Jason Krejza, Greg Mail, Stuart MacGill, Don Nash, Matthew Nicholson, Aaron O'Brien, Matthew Phelps, Dominic Thornely (one to be omitted).