Simpson named for Bulls

Nathan Hauritz's World Cup call-up had a flow-on effect today with Wynnum-Manly allrounder Chris Simpson called into the XXXX Queensland Bulls squad to play NSW in the Pura Cup in Sydney this week.

Simpson, a right-hand batsman and right-arm off-spinner, was included today in the Bulls team in place of swing bowler Adam Dale for the Sydney Cricket Ground showdown with the third-placed Blues.

Former captain Stuart Law will again be sidelined due to a wrist injury, with the right-hander hoping to be considered for next week's Pura Cup Final.

Hauritz's selection as the replacement for Shane Warne in the World Cup team last week and a finger injury to former Bulls spinner Scott O'Leary has presented Simpson with the chance to make his first class debut.

Simpson joins left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson in the team, with the Queensland selectors giving themselves the option of playing two spinners for the match.

A Bulls rookie-contracted player this season, the 21-year-old Simpson is a late-developing spinner, only concentrating on developing his slow bowling last year. He was a member of the 2002 Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy intake.

He has played ACB Cup for the past two seasons and has enjoyed solid form for Wynnum-Manly this season in the Brisbane XXXX First Grade competition, taking 35 wickets and scoring 514 runs.

NSW must beat Queensland to earn a spot in the Pura Cup Final at the Gabba next week, with the Bulls securing their fifth home Final in a row on Saturday with their outright win over Victoria.

XXXX Queensland Bulls v NSW Blues, Pura Cup, SCG, Thursday - Sunday: Martin Love (c), Brendan Nash, Clinton Perren, Daniel Payne, Lee Carseldine, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, Joe Dawes, Matthew Anderson, Chris Simpson. (12th man to be named).