A decision by the Australian cricket Board will determine whether Matthew Hayden will return from Zimbabwe for the opening Sheffield Shield match next week at the Gabba against the NSW Blues.

The Queensland Cricket selectors today included Hayden in the side for the match starting Tuesday, pending a final decision from team management in Zimbabwe. Sandgate-Redcliffe right-hander Jerry Cassell is on stand-by to make his Sheffield Shield XXXX Queensland Bulls debut if Hayden is unable to return in time.

If included, Cassell will join club teammate Matthew Anderson as the Shield debutants, although Cassell has played a first class match for Queensland against England 'A' in 1996-97.

Norths right-hander Clinton Perren has also won a spot in the team, with both Perren and Cassell being included from outside the squad of 20 contracted State players.

Left-arm spinner Anderson, originally from Darwin and a Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy graduate in 1997-98, has won the vacant spinner's spot left by Paul Jackson's retirement.

The Bulls will take a near international-strength pace line-up into the game, with Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz and Scott Muller all representing Australia within the past year.

XXXX Queensland Bulls: Stuart Law (c), Matthew Hayden or Jerry Cassell, , Jimmy Maher, Martin Love, Geoff Foley, Clinton Perren, Wade Seccombe, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Muller, Joe Dawes, Matthew Anderson (one to be omitted, twelfth man to be named).

NSW Blues: Shane Lee (c), Nathan Bracken, Rodney Davison, Greg Hayne, Brad Haddin, Trent Johnston, Brett Lee, Greg Mail, Don Nash, Corey Richards, Gavin Robertson, Graeme Rummans. (Twelfth man to be named).