Queensland skipper Hopes aims to remind Oz selectors about his talent

BRISBANE - Queensland skipper James Hopes will be out to give a not-so-subtle reminder to the Australian selectors after being a surprise omission from the one-day squad despite being a staple member of the side for the last three years.

Hopes plans to make his presence count when Queensland lines up against New South Wales in their one-dayer at the Gabba on Friday.

Bulls wicketkeeper Chris Hartley reckons all the pressure may yet be on the Blues’ Australian hopefuls.

New South Wales spinner Nathan Hauritz is under the pump after national selectors opted for Tasmanian tweaker Xavier Doherty in Australia’s three-match limited-overs series opener against Sri Lanka next Wednesday.

Hauritz will play the one-dayer against the Bulls and back-up for the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland starting at the Gabba on Sunday.

Veteran speedster Brett Lee will be out to show he is not a spent force after selectors opted for fellow NSW quick Mitchell Starc in the 15-man Australian one-day squad.

Hartley reckons Hauritz and Lee will be the ones feeling the pinch come Friday.

Hartley said the Bulls were shocked by Hopes’ omission from the national one-day side to take on Sri Lanka.

Hopes is likely to be included in a 30-man preliminary squad next month but Australia don’t play any more 50-over cricket before their final 15-man World Cup squad is announced by January 19.

“When his name wasn’t there (for the Sri Lankan series) we were very shocked and disappointed,” Hartley said.

He added: “Hopefully Hopesy does come out and prove the selectors wrong.

Hopes took a slight dig at national selectors when he spoke to Queensland Bulls media on Thursday.

“After the selections of the last couple of days I am looking forward to playing up to Christmas now for Queensland,” he said.(ANI)