Bulls secure future with squad

The Queensland Bulls have secured the bulk of its Bupa Sheffield Shield winning squad for the next two seasons.

The 2012-13 contract list announced today by Queensland Selection Panel chairman Trevor Hohns contains 13 players who have agreed to two-year deals with the Bulls.

Spinner Cameron Boyce, batsmen Peter Forrest, Joe Burns, Nathan Reardon and Chris Lynn, pacemen Ben Cutting, Cameron Gannon and Alister McDermott, allrounders James Hopes and Michael Neser and wicket-keeper Chris Hartley have all signed up for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

They join newly contracted duo Usman Khawaja and Nathan Hauritz on two-year deals.

New to the squad is former Western Australian batsman Luke Pomersbach, with the one-time Australian T20 player signing a one-year deal with the Bulls after relocating to Brisbane for the second half of last season to link with Toombul in the XXXX GOLD First Grade premiership.

Pomersbach, 27, played 30 first class games and 33 one-dayers for the Warriors and most recently turned out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

The Bulls have also contracted five rookie players, with Australian Under-19 duo Nick Stevens and James Peirson joining batsman Corey Barsby and pace bowlers Nick Buchanan and Ronan McDonald, who is the only new inclusion on the rookie list.

McDonald, 19, is a tall right-arm pace bowler who plays for the Toombul club.

Originally from St George where his family are on the land, McDonald attended Brisbane Grammar School and the Anglican Grammar School and made his first grade debut as an 18-year-old, taking 5-29 in his initial outing.

He made his Queensland Academy of Sport 2nd XI debut later that season.

McDonald claimed 30 wickets at 15.53 for Toombul last season.

Not contracted from last year’s squads were Ryan Broad, Ben Dunk, Scott Walter, Steve Paulsen and Alex Kemp, while Steve Magoffin (England) and Chris Swan (retired) were also not offered contracts.

Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns said those players not contracted would still have the opportunity to earn playing deals during the season.

“One thing that we as a selection panel, and as a coaching group, have been very strong on is that the performances will be rewarded, whether you are a contracted player or not,” he said.

“Form in grade cricket and competitions like the KFC T20 Challenge earned several players selection for Queensland last season and we are very comfortable going down that path again.

“A number of good players were not contracted for the coming season but they will still be considered if their form and performances warrant selection,” he said.

Hohns said the opportunity to sign players to two-year deals was timely for the Bulls.

“We are very pleased with the quality of the playing group that has been assembled,” he said.

“Our charter is to produce players for Australian teams and we believe we are providing options for the National Selection Panel and building the depth of Queensland Cricket at the same time.”

Queensland has 19 full contracted players, including CA contracted Ryan Harris, and five rookie contracted players.

2012-13 Queensland Bulls squad: James Hopes (c), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Jason Floros, Matthew Gale, Cameron Gannon, Chris Hartley, Ryan Harris (CA contract), Nathan Hauritz, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Michael Neser, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Reardon, Andrew Robinson, Wade Townsend.

Rookies: Corey Barsby, Nick Buchanan, Ronan McDonald, James Peirson, Nick Stevens.

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