Allrounder fills in for injured Maher

Simpson to lead Bulls in one-day game

Cricinfo staff

November 13, 2007

Chris Simpson has earned the chance to lead Queensland © Getty Images

Chris Simpson will captain Queensland in their FR Cup match against Western Australia at the WACA on Wednesday. Simpson is standing in for Jimmy Maher, who suffered a hamstring injury during his Pura Cup century on Friday.

It will be his first taste of captaincy at state level and it continues Queensland's trend of sharing the leadership responsibilities - James Hopes and Chris Hartley both captained the Bulls in Twenty20 games last season when Maher was injured. The move also gives Queensland a look at another contender to become Maher's permanent replacement when he steps down at the end of this season.

Simpson, 25, captains his club Wynnum-Manly and has regularly led the Queensland Academy of Sport team. He took the reins of the side during the Pura Cup match against Western Australia on the weekend when Maher was off the ground. An offspinning allrounder, Simpson has been in strong form this summer after making his first two first-class centuries in the opening Pura Cup rounds.

"We're comfortable giving Chris an opportunity in this game, just as we gave Chris Hartley a chance in the Twenty20 last season,'' Ray Phillips, Queensland's chairman of selectors, said. "But it's fair to say we are in a challenging position at the moment with 13 players either injured, returning from injury or on duty with the Australian team."

The Bulls have picked a 13-man squad for the match, although it is unclear whether Hopes will play after complaining of hamstring soreness during the Pura Cup game. If he does not take his place, Chris Swan will come in to the starting XI and Daniel Doran will be 12th man.

Western Australia made two enforced changes to their squad, with Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey missing due to international duties. Chris Rogers, Shawn Gillies and Matt Johnston have been included in the Warriors' 13-man outfit.

Western Australia squad Justin Langer, Luke Ronchi (wk), Adam Voges (capt), Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Chris Rogers, Sean Ervine, Darren Wates, Shawn Gillies, Brad Hogg, Matt Johnston, Steve Magoffin, Danny McLauchlan.

Queensland squad Ryan Broad, James Hopes, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Chris Simpson (capt), Aaron Nye, Nathan Reardon, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Daniel Doran, Scott Brant, Grant Sullivan, Chris Swan.

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