The XXXX Queensland Bulls will open their 2002-2003 cricket season against archrivals NSW in an ING Cup match at North Sydney Oval on October 13.

The game is a repeat of the ING Cup Final that NSW won last year at the Gabba won by 19 runs and should see both teams at near full strength.

The Bulls will then commence their quest for a fourth Pura Cup title in a row at the Gabba from October 16 to 19 when the Blues make the trip north.

Queensland will play five ING Cup matches at the Gabba, with three of those games being day/nighters, in the official season draw released yesterday by the ACB.

The Bulls will also play an ING Cup match against Victoria in Ballarat on the Australia Day long weekend.

All of Queensland's matches will be at the Gabba in 2002-2003 apart from the three-day tour match against England at Allan Border Field from November 2-4 prior to the First Orange Ashes Test match at the Gabba from November 7-11.

Meanwhile tickets went on sale today for the International Cricket season at the Gabba.

Ticketmaster7 are selling a five-day Test pass and individual match day tickets for the First Orange Ashes Test match at the Gabba in November and the One Day International "Three-Pack", which offers reserved seating for the three limited overs international day/nighters at the Gabba this summer.

Individual one-day international match tickets will go on sale from September 1 through Ticketmaster7.

Australia, recently named the number one sporting team in the world, play England in the opening Test match of the 2002-2003 Ashes Series at the world-class Gabba stadium from November 7-11.

In the one-day arena, Australia 'A' will meet Sri Lanka on Saturday December 14 in a day/night match while England will play Sri Lanka in the VB Series on Tuesday December 17 under the spectacular lights at the Gabba. The world champion Australian one-day team plays former world champions Sri Lanka in a day/nighter at the Gabba on Wednesday, January 15.

This season's one-day series is being played earlier in the season than normal due to the World Cup in South Africa in February where Australia will defend their title.

All tickets sold for international matches this summer will allow the ticket-bearer free public transport to and from the Gabba.

Queensland Cricket and CityTrans have reached an agreement that will again enable patrons with ample public transport opportunities to get to the big games at the Gabba in 2002-2003.

Patrons will also be able to park at the Convention Centre and catch buses to the Woolloongabba bus station.

© 2002 Queensland Cricket Association

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.