Hayden returns for Bulls; Blues unchanged

Queensland will be fielding one of their strongest XI's this season with the return of Test opener Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson.

In a vital clash against New South Wales commencing this Thursday, the inclusions will come as a great delight for the Bulls, who look to hunt down the top-of-the-table Blues.

Hayden missed Queensland's last Pura Cup match - against Western Australia - after suffering from illness, while Watson will return after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in the first Test against the West Indies last November.

Ryan Broad and Ashley Noffke will make way for the pair.

New South Wales have named an unchanged line up from the team which drew with Victoria in Lismore earlier in the month.

Queensland: Jimmy Maher (capt), Matthew Hayden, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Brendan Nash, Lachlan Stevens, Chris Hartley (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Daniel Doran (12th man to be named).

New South Wales: Phil Jaques, Matthew Phelps, Dominic Thornely, Corey Richards, Craig Simmons, Brad Haddin (capt/wk), Aaron Bird, Aaron O'Brien, Matthew Nicholson, Grant Lambert, Doug Bollinger, Stuart MacGill (12th man to be named).

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