Team changes highlight start to 2002-03 Pura Cup season
The Queensland Bulls will be chasing their fourth-consecutive domestic first-class title when the 2002-03 Pura Cup season starts next week (week beginning Monday 14 October).
The opening round of the Pura Cup competition will see the Bulls take on the New South Wales Blues at the Gabba ground in Brisbane (Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 October), while a new-look Southern Redbacks line-up do battle with the Victorian Bushrangers at the Adelaide Oval (Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 October).
The Bulls have major changes in leadership this year as Jimmy Maher replaces the long-serving Stuart Law as captain and Terry Oliver takes over the coaching reins from Bennett King.
Law has relinquished the captaincy, while King accepted the head coach position at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy.
Change has also swept through Queensland's opposition from last year's Pura Cup final, the Tasmanian Tigers. Brian McFadyen, formerly of the Victorian Bushrangers' coaching staff, takes over as head coach, replacing Greg Shipperd. Shipperd has headed to Victoria as assistant to new Bushrangers' head coach David Hookes.
Also joining the Tigers are recruits Luke Williams and Ben Oliver. Williams has been a prolific run-scorer for South Australia in Second XI cricket, while Oliver is a talented all-rounder from Victoria.
The Bushrangers, who have added former New South Wales Blues batsman Graeme Rummans to their list, will face the Tigers in their opening match of the season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 2 November).
The Southern Redbacks new-look squad includes former Victorians Damien Fleming and John Davison, New South Wales Blues all-rounder Mark Higgs and Jack Smith, a talented batsman from the Australian Capital Territory.
However, the Redbacks will be without experienced paceman Paul Wilson, who has headed to the Western Warriors.
The New South Wales Blues meanwhile have recruited former Warrior and Test batsman, Simon Katich.
Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the changes in each state's on and off-field personnel was a reflection of the increasing professionalism of the game.
"The Pura Cup is a highly competitive competition with very little separating each state," Mr Sutherland said.
"This season will see a number of team changes, with many young players looking to make their mark at Pura Cup level, and some old faces in new colours, aiming to continue their careers in different surrounds.
"The movement of players is a trend that is likely to continue as cricketers look to ensure their short-term futures by finding the best environment to play the game.
"And because the majority of players are now full-time professionals, it is important that they can find opportunities to ply their trade in the best way possible," he said.
The 2002-03 Pura Cup season will be covered by ABC Radio through its Grandstand program, while live scores will be available on the ACB's official website, baggygreen.com.au.
© 2002 Australian Cricket Board
| Teams | Australia. |
| Players/Umpires | Jimmy Maher, Stuart Law, Bennett King, Greg Shipperd, Luke Williams, Ben Oliver, Graeme Rummans, Damien Fleming, John Davison, Mark Higgs, Jack Smith, Paul Wilson, Simon Katich, James Sutherland. |
| Season | Australian Domestic Season |
| Grounds | Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane Adelaide Oval |
| Internal Links | 2002/03 Pura Cup. |
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