The in-form XXXX Queensland Bulls will know tomorrow whether they willfinally gain the services of fast bowler Ashley Noffke for Friday’s INGCup day/nighter against Victoria at the Gabba.
Queensland Cricket29-Jan-2003The in-form XXXX Queensland Bulls will know tomorrow whether they willfinally gain the services of fast bowler Ashley Noffke for Friday’s INGCup day/nighter against Victoria at the Gabba.Noffke has been on the verge of making his return from a broken rightindex finger for the past two weeks but has been ruled out prior to thepast two ING matches, which have resulted in handsome victories for theBulls.The right-arm quick made a comeback in Brisbane First Grade cricket onthe weekend, taking 1-31, and bowled in two separate sessions today.He will face a final check tomorrow at Queensland’s last session beforethe match.If Noffke is not given the all-clear to return, the Bulls will field thesame side that demolished the Bushrangers on Australia Day in Ballarat,dismissing them for 65 and claiming a 10-wicket win.The Bulls (22 points) currently lead the ING table, two points clear ofsecond-placed Tasmania (20 pts) with Western Australia (17 pts) and NSW(15 pts) bringing up the rear.Friday’s day/nighter will be the Bulls’ final home ING Cup match, withtheir remaining two matches against the Redbacks in Adelaide on SaturdayFebruary 8 and the Tasmanian Tigers in Hobart on Saturday February 15.The leading two teams will play in the Final on Sunday February 23, withthe top side earning the right to host the Final. The Bulls hosted lastyear’s Final that was won by NSW.Bulls pace bowler Michael Kasprowicz needs two more wickets to becomeQueensland’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the ING Cup.Kasprowicz (66 wickets) trails former Queensland allrounder ScottPrestwidge (67 wickets) on the all-time domestic limited overs list.XXXX Queensland Bulls v Victorian Bushrangers, ING Cup, Gabba, Friday,2.30pm start: Martin Love (c), Daniel Payne, Lee Carseldine, ClintonPerren, Stuart Law, Brendan Nash, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe, NathanHauritz, Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Brant, Damien MacKenzie, AshleyNoffke. (one to be omitted).