TOP class Redland cricketers will be on show in Brisbane over the next two months, with a string of big matches lined up as the domestic season draws to a close.
Local players Marnus Labuschagne and Jimmy Peirson are likely to turn out for the Queensland Bulls in upcoming Sheffield Shield and one day cup matches.
Sam Heazlett is also expected to play in the limited overs team, but is yet to appear in the red ball side this season after being left out for the first three matches of the campaign.
Several international players are set for a return to the domestic fold after Australia's test tour of South Africa scheduled for March was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns.
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Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday that it's state-based competitions would be condensed to lessen the demand on players in bio-security bubbles.
The revamped schedule will see the Shield played over eight rounds and each state play five one day games.
A later than usual April finish for the season means a number of top class players will be available for domestic cricket, much like they were at the back end of the Big Bash League season.
Five Redlands players - Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Heazlett, James Peirson, Simon Milenko and James Bazley - pulled on the Brisbane Heat colours at some point during the recently completed BBL season.
Peirson was a standout for the side, scoring 324 runs at an average of 46 to finish the second highest run-getter after captain Chris Lynn.
Heazlett, a Sheldon College graduate, starred in the elimination final against Sydney Thunder with a cameo of 74 not out from 49 balls.
The Queensland Bulls start their one day cup season against Tasmania in Hobart on Wednesday before resuming their four-day campaign against the same opposition five days later.
Squads are yet to be released but the Redlands duo of Heazlett and Peirson are likely to play in the one-day cup, having been involved in last season's grand final loss to Western Australia.
International star Labuschagne also should start, as he was not selected in Australia's twenty-twenty squad to tour New Zealand later this month.
Redlanders will be able to see the trio play across several Brisbane venues, including the Gabba, Allan Border Field and Ian Healy Oval at Northern Suburbs Cricket Club in Wooloowin.
The latter will become the 12th Queensland venue to host first-class cricket when the Shield clash between the Bulls and Redbacks begins on March 23.
Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson said he welcomed the debut of Northern Suburbs as a first-class cricket venue.
"It's encouraging for the Bulls and Fire players and coaching staff to be able to prepare with certainty now for the final months of the season and also rewarding for local fans to have opportunities to get out and support their teams at home," he said.
"We're also pleased that fans all over the state will also be able to follow the Bulls and Fire through broadcast and streaming services ... "
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