Queensland could field a top order with 17 Test centuries under their belt after naming a 15-man squad for the Adelaide Sheffield Shield hub during October and November.
Incumbent Test opener Joe Burns will be joined by Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja in the likely top four with Matt Renshaw a chance to bat at No. 5. Bryce Street, who enjoyed a breakout first season with 489 runs at 37.61, is expected to open with Burns.
Consistent top-order runs has been a challenge for Queensland in recent seasons. In the 2018-19 Sheffield Shield there was just one individual century although that improved to four last season – two of them from Street. Part of that may be attributable to conditions at the Gabba which can often aid pace bowling, something which won’t be a factor in the first part of this season.
Pace bowler Michael Neser, who has recovered from a groin injury, and legspinner Mitchell Swepson will both be in the mix to join Australia’s Test squad for the India series which will need to be larger than usual to cover for travel restrictions.
Benji Floros, a Queensland contracted player for the first time this season, and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann are the two uncapped players in the squad – the first to be confirmed ahead of the start of the competition.
The squad will begin a self-quarantine period on Monday and travel to Adelaide later in the week. Queensland’s opening game is against Tasmania at Park 25 on October 10.
Queensland squad Usman Khawaja (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Blake Edwards, Benji Floros, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Lachy Pfeffer, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo