Finals Spot Lure For Bulls

The Bulls drew their Shield clash with WA last week to stay within touch of second-place South Australia.

The Bulls changes include the return of Australian pacemen Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett as well as batters Jack Clayton and Lachy Hearne and allrounder Hayden Kerr.

Young paceman Tom Balkin, who impressed with his initial games for the Brisbane Heat and Bulls’ One Day Cup team this summer, has also been included for the first time and would make his first-class debut if chosen in the starting side.

Clayton (knee), Hearne (concussion) and Kerr (ankle) all missed the WA game and were cleared this week to be available for selection.

Allrounder Jack Wildermuth (quad) will miss the Tigers match this weekend as he recovers after being subbed out during the match last week, as will batter Usman Khawaja who is awaiting the birth of his family’s third child.

Also omitted from the previous line-up are pacemen Jem Ryan, Sam Skelly and Benji Floros, allrounder Steve McGiffin and spinner Jack Sinfield.

The Bulls need to defeat Tasmania outright to qualify for their second Shield Final in a row, with the defending title holders South Australia playing competition leaders Victoria in Melbourne.

Queensland finished third in the One Day Cup last month after briefly being in the Final before NSW leapfrogged them into the decider against Tasmania.

All the Sheffield Shield action can be followed online at cricket.com.au and via the CricketLive app as well as streamed on Kayo.

Sheffield Shield
Queensland v Tasmania
Ninja Stadium, Hobart
Saturday - Tuesday

Queensland Bulls
Marnus Labuschagne (c)
Tom Balkin
Xavier Bartlett
Hugo Burdon
Jack Clayton
Lachlan Hearne
Hayden Kerr
Michael Neser
Jimmy Peirson
Matthew Renshaw
Tom Straker
Mitchell Swepson
Hugh Weibgen

Changes from previous squad: 
In: Tom Balkin, Xavier Bartlett, Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Michael Neser.
Out– Usman Khawaja, Jem Ryan, Steve McGiffin, Jack Wildermuth, Sam Skelly, Benji Floros, Jack Sinfield