Warriors, Bulls open FRC season

In an intriguing clash to open the summer, Ford Ranger Cup champion Queensland is taking on a Western Australian side with plenty to prove after disappointing in all competitions last season.

Adding extra spice to the contest is the presence of former Bull Ashley Noffke in the Warriors' ranks. Noffke, a matchwinner for Queensland two seasons ago with both bat and ball earned himself a position in the Australian side for his efforts.

But the all-rounder found himself somewhat on the outer last season as he struggled to overcome a painful nerve-related hip injury. When the Bulls would only offer him a new one-year deal, he opted to head west where the WACA was only too happy to give him two.

A fit-again Noffke should be a real bonus for the Western Australians, while adding an extra edge to the contest against his old side. His skill and experience also adds a new dimension to the Warriors' middle order, one it might need if their top order shows the same fragility it did last season.

Indeed, the Warriors batting line-up, with the exception of skipper and Australian bat Marcus North, has plenty to prove this time around. Shaun Marsh may have been selected for the Australian One Day International tour to India, but he was far from his dominant best in the early stages of last year before going down with a season-ending hamstring injury playing for Australia against New Zealand.

Marsh should be joined at the top of the order by good mate Luke Ronchi, who's form reversal last season saw him go from representing Australia to not getting a gig with the Warriors. His turnaround starts here as well.

Heading into the first match, the Bulls received a timely boost with coach Trevor Barsby re-signed for another two years after an impressive first season at the helm.

However the Bulls have copped two big blows on Friday losing experienced bowlers James Hopes and Chris Swan. Emergency replacements in Ben Cutting and Daniel Doran have been sent for, while the omissions increase the likelihood young paceman Alister McDermott, the son of Craig, may make his debut in this competition.

The emphasis on youth does increase the Bulls' reliance on last year's master blaster Lee Carseldine to set up a competitive total, though. But Carseldine will still have fond memories of the WACA, having scored 74 from 45 deliveries in the Bulls big KFC Twenty20 Big Bash win over the Warriors last season.

By that stage, the Warriors were rapidly heading towards a dismal end to their campaign, while Queensland was on the up. But in the matches before that, the Warriors still managed a dramatic Ford Ranger Cup win over Queensland last November, that may prove a good sign for the hosts this time around.

Warriors' Ford Ranger Cup squad
Marcus North (c) Adam Voges (vc), David Bandy, Brett Dorey, Theo Doropoulos, Michael Hogan, Brad Knowles, Shawn Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Drew Porter, Wes Robinson, Luke Ronchi and Marcus Stoinis. (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).

Bulls Ford Ranger Cup squad
Chris Simpson (c), Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cuttting, Daniel Doran, Chris Hartley, Ben Laughlin, Alister McDermott, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Wade Townsend. (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).