Queensland ready for Love to break finals record

Martin Love will set a Queensland record on Friday when he plays his 10th domestic first-class final in the Pura Cup decider against Victoria at the Gabba. Love will overtake Stuart Law, the former captain who led the state to their first victory in 1994-95, and the No. 3 is a crucial member for the Bulls as they appear in their eighth consecutive final.

"It's pretty amazing to think I am about to play in my 10th - it certainly doesn't seem that many,'' Love said. "I've been very fortunate to play in a great era of Queensland Cricket alongside wonderful players and I certainly don't take an achievement like this for granted."

Love, who needs 206 runs to match Law's state record of 9920 runs, made his first-class debut against New South Wales in the 1992-93 final and has been part of four Sheffield Shield-Pura Cup victories. He is also the only Queensland player to post three centuries in deciders and was named alongside the Australia one-day players Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson in the 12-man squad to face the Bushrangers.

Daniel Doran, the legspinner in his first season, has recovered from a finger injury suffered in the match against Victoria two weeks ago and will play in the five-day final. Nathan Hauritz, Nathan Rimmington and Craig Philipson have been dropped from the squad that lost to Tasmania.

Mick Lewis, who has two five-wicket hauls in finals, returns for Victoria after they named a 13-man squad that includes the fast bowlers Shane Harwood, Gerard Denton and Dirk Nannes. The Bushrangers have also added the wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite while Grant Lindsay has been cut from the outfit that beat Western Australia on March 13.

"Our bowlers have stood up all season and we need another big effort," Lewis said. "We need to take 20 wickets to win the final, and I know we've got the guys who'll charge in all day and create chances."

Victoria Jason Arnberger, Lloyd Mash, Brad Hodge, Nick Jewell, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Jon Moss, Nathan Pilon (wk), Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Dirk Nannes, Mick Lewis, Shane Harwood, Gerard Denton.

Queensland Jimmy Maher (capt), Lachlan Stevens, Martin Love, Clinton Perren, Shane Watson, James Hopes, Brendan Nash, Chris Hartley (wk), Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Daniel Doran, Mitchell Johnson.