Simpson wins Bulls' captaincy

The changing of the guard in Queensland cricket continued on Monday when Chris Simpson was named as the Bulls' skipper for the 2008-09 season.

And veteran paceman Andy Bichel's recovery from shoulder surgery took a massive step forward on Monday when he pulled up well after a 16-ball spell in the nets.

The Bulls are hopeful Bichel, the second-most prolific wicket-taker for Queensland, will be available for the start of the season in October.

Simpson, a 26-year-old all-rounder, replaces opener Jimmy Maher, who retired earlier this year. Former international paceman Michael Kasprowicz was another star who played his last game for the Bulls last summer.

Simpson captained the Bulls at one-day and Twenty20 cricket last summer before assuming the role for the final Pura Cup match of the season after Maher's retirement.

"It's a great honour and one that I am grateful for the chance to tackle, but I am well aware that the hard work started at the end of last season and won't be letting up as we get closer to the start of the coming season," he said.

Minus their international stars and injured pace stalwarts Kasprowicz and Bichel for much of the season, the Bulls failed to make a final in any competition last summer.

The Bulls announced their list of contracted players for next season, the two main additions being former South Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris and Lee Carseldine.

Carseldine, who returned to Queensland ranks last season after major back surgery, has won his first full contract since 2003.

The Bulls have also named 17-year-old Gold Coast quick Alister McDermott, the son of former Test paceman Craig, on their seven-man rookie list.

In other news, Bulls assistant coach Justin Sternes will be the new Queensland Academy of Sport coach for 2008, replacing Trevor Barsby, who was last week named the Bulls' coach for next season.

Queensland squad for 2008-09

Cricket Australia contracted: Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson

Queensland contracted: Glen Batticciotto (new), Andrew Bichel, Scott Brant, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine (new), Ben Cutting (new – rookie in 2007-08), Daniel Doran, Ryan Harris (new), Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin (new), Martin Love, Greg Moller, Aaron Nye, Clinton Perren, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Simpson, Grant Sullivan, Chris Swan

Rookie contracted: Cameron Boyce, Michael Johnson, Alister McDermott, Dom O’Brien, Wade Townsend, Scott Walter, Worrin Williams