Bulls name young leggie in Shield squad

Rookie leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson is in line to make his Sheffield Shield debut this week after being selected in Queensland's squad to play New South Wales.

The 22-year-old is not a contracted myFootDR Bulls player, but his performances this summer have been enough to force his way into the 12-man Bulls squad for the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, beginning on Friday.

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Swepson has got the nod ahead of Australia's T20 leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who played in Queensland's opening Shield match of the season against Victoria but was omitted after taking 0-140 in 32.2 overs. Off-spinning allrounder Jason Floros has carried the spin duties in Queensland's two Shield matches since then.

Boyce was this week included in Queensland's Future's League side and found the going tough there as well, taking 1-120 from 22 overs as Western Australia amassed 8-450.

Swepson has replaced young fast bowler Billy Stanlake in the Bulls squad, with the quick being rested after finishing with figures of 7-116 on debut against South Australia earlier this month.

Swepson, who was part of the Cricket Australia XI team in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup last month, has quietly built a case for inclusion in the Queensland XI.

A late invitee to the annual spin camp at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in May, Swepson’s efforts attracted the attention of coaching staff including West Indian Brisbane Heat recruit Samuel Badree.

He was then invited to train with the National Performance Squad at the NCC and travelled to India as part of a bowling group that attended the Madras Rubber Factory academy to work alongside Test legend Glenn McGrath.

Good performances in India and during Queensland’s pre-season saw him selected in the inaugural CA XI for the Matador Cup. He took four wickets in five games during the one-day tournament, before earning a spot in the CA XI side for a three-day tour match against the Black Caps in Blacktown.

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That match was technically Swepson's first-class debut, but it was abandoned before the leggie had a chance to ply his wares.

Queensland Convenor of Selectors Justin Sternes said the panel had opted to manage Stanlake’s workload after he bowled the most overs for Queensland in the outright win over the West End Redbacks.

"As we have previously identified, we’re conscious that Bill is still in the early stages of his first class bowling career and are working to ensure he steadily builds his bowling workloads and manages his recovery and preparation around the four-day games,’" Sternes said.

Stanlake is expected to come into contention for the Bulls’ next Shield game, starting on December 6.

The Bulls currently sit second on the Shield table after a stunning comeback win over Tasmania and an innings victory over the Redbacks.

They will face a Blues side desperate for a win after they dropped six points in the abandoned game against Victoria before being outplayed by Tasmania in their last match.

Queensland squad: Chris Hartley (capt), Ben Cutting, Jason Floros, Sam Heazlett, Scott Henry, James Hopes, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Reardon, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth (12th man to be named)