Hopes to lead QAS in opener

Allrounder James Hopes will captain the Queensland Academy of Sport team in its opening ACB Cup 2nd XI match next week in a team abounding with XXXX Queensland Bulls squad teammates.

Hopes is one of eight Bulls contracted players in the 12-man team that will take on Victoria in the four-day 2nd XI match at Allan Border Field from Monday.

Hopes, who played the final three matches of the Bulls ING Cup campaign with a stress fracture in his foot last season, is joined in the team by batsmen Jerry Cassell, Daniel Payne and Clinton Perren, wicket-keeper Chris Hartley, pace bowlers Damien MacKenzie and Scott Brant and left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson. All bar Hartley have first class experience.

The rest of the team is made up of QAS squad players Chris Simpson, a Bulls rookie contracted player in 2002-03, Duncan Betts, Matthew Petrie and Scott O'Leary, a Bulls squad member last season.

The Bulls and QAS squads are presently on South Stradbroke Island enduring a "Survivor-style" training camp that continues until tomorrow.

Queensland Academy of Sport v Victorian 2nd XI, Monday Oct 7-10: James Hopes (c), Jerry Cassell, Duncan Betts, Daniel Payne, Clinton Perren, Chris Simpson, Chris Hartley, Damien MacKenzie, Scott O'Leary, Matthew Anderson, Scott Brant, Matthew Petrie (all 12 to play).