Simpson springs into Queensland line-ups

Chris Simpson, the 23-year-old allrounder, has been rewarded for his off-season performances with places in the opening Queensland ING and Pura Cup teams. Queensland open the summer with a one-day match against New South Wales at the Gabba on Friday and then host Tasmania in a four-day game starting on Monday.

One of the three fittest players in the Bulls squad, Simpson missed more than half of last season with a wrist injury, but he impressed the selectors when captaining the Queensland Academy of Sport during the State Institute Challenge in August. An offspinner, Simpson has already collected 15 grade wickets for Wynnum-Manly.

The Australian players Andrew Symonds and James Hopes will return from international duty for the fixtures while Michael Kasprowicz's fitness is being monitored after suffering a minor hamstring problem two weeks ago. New South Wales, who are in camp on the Sunshine Coast this week, will also have Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken on duty.

Jimmy Maher and Brad Haddin, the two captains, will be able to use power plays and super subs for the first time as the domestic competition adapts the new ICC one-day rules.

Queensland ING Cup squad 1 Jimmy Maher (capt), 2 James Hopes, 3 Andrew Symonds, 4 Clinton Perren, 5 Craig Philipson, 6 Chris Simpson, 7 Chris Hartley (wk), 8 Andy Bichel, 9 Nathan Hauritz, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 Michael Kasprowicz, 12 Brendan Nash.

New South Wales
1 Phil Jaques, 2 Matthew Phelps, 3 Dominic Thornely, 4 Corey Richards, 5 Ed Cowan, 6 James Packman, 7 Brad Haddin (capt, wk), 8 Aaron O'Brien, 9 Matthew Nicholson, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Doug Bollinger, 12 Stuart Clark.

Queensland Pura Cup squad
1 Jimmy Maher (capt), 2 Clinton Perren, 3 Martin Love, 4 Andrew Symonds, 5 Craig Philipson, 6 James Hopes, 7 Chris Simpson, 8 Lachlan Stevens, 9 Chris Hartley (wk), 10 Andy Bichel, 11 Michael Kasprowicz, 12 Mitchell Johnson.