Rising Northern Suburbs left-hander Brendan Nash will make his Pura Cup debut for the XXXX Queensland Bulls in this week's key match against the NSW Blues at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Nash, 23, replaces fellow left-hander Lee Carseldine in the Bulls side for the match, which starts on Friday.

A wristy stroke-player, Nash has played three Mercantile Mutual Cup matches for the Bulls this season but will be making his first class debut against the Blues.

Of West Indian heritage, Nash and his family moved to Australia from Jamaica when he was a baby and have lived in Perth, Cairns and Brisbane. He attended Nudgee College in 1993 and 1994 and was the leading runs-scorer in the Brisbane XXXX First grade competition last season.

He scored 58 not out for the QAS in the ACB Cup 2nd XI win over Tasmania last week and followed that with 123 for Norths on Saturday in their XXXX Grade win over Valley.

Nash is eligible for West Indian selection and was sounded out during the recent West Indies tour as to whether he was interested in trying out for Jamaica in the Busta Cup, an approach he declined.

The Bulls will train tomorrow from 3pm at the Gabba, with media advised to be present from 2.30pm. The team departs on Wednesday for Sydney.

The Bulls (28 pts) presently lead the Pura Cup competition, with Victoria next on 26 and NSW third on 16 points.

XXXX Queensland Bulls v NSW Blues: Stuart Law (c), Jimmy Maher, Jerry Cassell, Martin Love, Andrew Symonds, Brendan Nash, Wade Seccombe, Andy Bichel, Adam Dale, Joe Dawes, Ashley Noffke, Scott O'Leary.

© 2001 Queensland Cricket Association