Maher succumbs to hernia

Hopes helps out as captain

Cricinfo staff

December 20, 2007

James Hopes will be a key player as the Bulls try to hit back from their heavy Pura Cup loss © Getty Images

Queensland have suffered another setback with Jimmy Maher ruled out of the FR Cup match against South Australia on Sunday with a hernia. Maher, who will be replaced by James Hopes, hurt himself during an optional training session and his withdrawal is untimely as his side struggles following heavy first-class losses.

"I guess it is a one-off at this stage with Jimmy and Chris Simpson unavailable but it should be a good experience," Hopes, who will lead the state for the first time, said. "I've had a bit of captaincy experience but I'll be keeping a close eye on Ricky Ponting today to see what tips I can pick up in the meantime."

The Bulls have been boosted by the return of Hopes, who is playing in the final game of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Hobart. They need some spark after suffering another severe Pura Cup loss on Monday, leaving them last on four points after six matches. Queensland are better placed in the one-day competition and are desperate to hold on to second spot.

Hopes comes into the side for the medium-pacer Chris Swan and Ashley Noffke is back after missing the loss to New South Wales while debuting for Australia in the Twenty20. Simpson was not considered after breaking his finger in the Pura Cup defeat to New South Wales.

Lee Carseldine will continue his strong season as Maher's replacement and he has also been picked in the squad for the New Year's Eve Twenty20 against Victoria in Townsville. Carseldine, who has scored more than 500 grade runs, can add the representative honours to his FR Cup appearance last month. South Australia named an unchanged team after Matthew Elliott's century put them on track for the win over Western Australia on Wednesday.

Queensland FR Cup squad James Hopes (capt), Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Aaron Nye, Nathan Reardon, Lee Carseldine, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Brant, Grant Sullivan.

South Australia FR Cup squad Matthew Elliott, Daniel Harris, Mark Cosgrove, Dan Christian, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Nathan Adcock (capt), Graham Manou (wk), Ryan Harris, Jason Gillespie, Dan Cullen, Paul Rofe.

Queensland Twenty20 squad Shane Watson, James Hopes, Clinton Perren, Jimmy Maher (capt), Craig Philipson, Aaron Nye, Chris Simpson, Michael Buchanan, Lee Carseldine, Nathan Reardon, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Michael Kasprowicz.

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