Bulls Squad Set For Summer

Queensland finished runners-up to South Australia in the Final in March after almost completing a remarkable turnaround from wooden-spooners to champions in a single season.

The 2025-26 contracted player list for the coming summer contains one new addition as well as two players promoted to Full contracts.

Young pace bowlers Tom Whitney (pictured above) and Tom Straker delivered encouraging performances in their maiden first class seasons, with the duo elevated from the Rookie list to Full contracts.

Straker, 19, claimed 12 wickets in five Shield matches as well as playing three One Day matches while Whitney, 22, finished with 11 wickets in three Shield games.

Whitney, an Australian Under-19 player in 2022, produced the third best first-class match bowling figures on debut for Queensland when he took 8-119 against South Australia at Allan Border Field. 

Alongside fellow Bulls contracted players Hugh Weibgen, Callum Vidler and Lachlan Aitken, Straker was a member of Australia's 2024 ICC under-19 World Cup championship team.

Adding to Queensland’s quiver of young quicks in 2025-26 is another Australian Under-19 graduate, with Toombul paceman Tom Balkin gaining a Rookie contract for the first time.

Balkin, 21, represented the National Under-19 team in a series against England in 2023.

He played in the Toyota 2nd XI competition for Queensland last season with a best of 3-10 against NSW, and was a late inclusion in the Bulls squad for their One Day Cup win over South Australia during the summer where he was 13th man.

There were three omissions from last season, with left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie linking with Northamptonshire and Bryce Street and Connor Sully dropping out of the squad.

Queensland Cricket Head of Elite Cricket Joe Dawes thanked the trio of uncontracted players for their commitment to Queensland.

“We wish Liam all the best at Northants under Darren Lehmann and will stay close to Bryce and Connor as they tackle new challenges,’’ he said.

“The Bulls have plenty of incentives to build on their improvement last season, and we will back the squad to convert that potential into trophies in the coming seasons.

“We’re excited about what lies ahead and look forward to improving as individuals and as a squad in the first class and one day competitions,’’ Dawes said.

The bulk of the playing group will assemble next month to commence their off-season programs under coach Johan Botha.

The Queensland Fire women's squad will be released on Wednesday while the Queensland Academy Squad will be also be finalised in coming weeks.

2025-26 Queensland Bulls Squad

Cricket Australia Contracted (3)
Xavier Bartlett (Gold Coast)
Usman Khawaja (Valley)
Marnus Labuschagne (Redlands)

Queensland Contracted (18 full)
Max Bryant (Valley)
Hugo Burdon (Gold Coast)
Jack Clayton (University of Qld)
Lachlan Hearne (Toombul)
Angus Lovell (University of Qld)
Ben McDermott (Gold Coast)
Michael Neser (Gold Coast)
Jimmy Peirson (Redlands)
Matthew Renshaw (Toombul)
Gurinder Sandhu (South Brisbane)
Jack Sinfield (Redlands)
Mark Steketee (Valley)
Tom Straker (Valley)
Mitch Swepson (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
Callum Vidler (Valley)
Hugh Weibgen (Valley)
Tom Whitney (Wests)
Jack Wildermuth (Valley)

Queensland Rookie Contracted (3)
Lachy Aitken (Gold Coast)
Tom Balkin (Toombul) NEW
Jem Ryan (Ipswich)

IN
Tom Balkin (Toombul, rookie)
Tom Straker (Valley) *
Tom Whitney (Wests) *
*indicates elevated from rookie contracts in 2024-25 to full contract for 2025-26.

OUT
Liam Guthrie (Northamptonshire )
Bryce Street
Connor Sully