Cricket

Queensland's Angus Lovell has propelled the Bulls to a commanding position in their Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales, scoring a maiden first-class century and leading his team to a 167-run lead.Lovell's unbeaten 146, crafted with patience and determination at Cricket Central in western Sydney, was the cornerstone of Queensland's dominant day three performance. The 25-year-old shared a mammoth 310-run partnership with Ben McDermott, who contributed a valuable 87 off 143 deliveries.Despite the absence of wickets for Test quick Josh Hazlewood, who bowled 24 overs without success, Queensland's top-six batsmen all made significant contributions. Lovell's century was particularly impressive, as he capitalized on two missed chances by NSW fielders.Lovell's heroics with the bat followed his impressive performance with the ball, where he claimed 3 for 13 to clean up the NSW tail. His all-round display continued a remarkable run of form, having recently scored an unbeaten 250 for Queensland's second XI.After McDermott's dismissal, Lovell forged another substantial partnership with Lachlan Hearne, who made 58 before falling to Ryan Hadley. Tanveer Sangha also picked up two wickets for NSW.Queensland will enter the final day with a significant advantage, needing to set a challenging target before attempting to dismiss NSW's batsmen. The Bulls will be aiming to build on their lead and secure a crucial victory in their Shield campaign.

Usman Khawaja, the Australian Test opener, will return to his familiar opening position for Queensland in the upcoming Sheffield Shield season. This move is part of a strategic shift by new Bulls coach Johan Botha to stabilize the team's middle order after a disappointing campaign last summer.Despite being the Test opener, Khawaja had batted at No. 4 in his last eight Shield games. However, Botha believes that having Khawaja open will provide stability to the Bulls' batting lineup, especially with the departure of Test players Marnus Labuschagne and Khawaja himself after the first three Shield rounds.Jack Clayton, who emerged as Queensland's leading run-scorer last season, is expected to settle at No. 4, benefiting from the stability provided by Khawaja's move to the top of the order. Botha praised Khawaja for his willingness to adjust his position for the team's benefit.On the bowling front, Michael Neser is expected to be available for the start of the season after recovering from a calf injury. His return is a boost for the Bulls, who have been concerned about their fast bowling depth ahead of the India series.However, Xavier Bartlett is expected to miss at least the first month of the season due to a side strain. This injury adds to Australia's fast bowling woes, with Scott Boland managing a knee complaint and Lance Morris returning slowly from a stress fracture.Despite these injury concerns, Botha is confident in the Bulls' ability to perform well this season. He believes that the stability provided by Khawaja's move to the top of the order and the return of Neser will be key factors in their success.

Former South African all-rounder Johan Botha has been appointed as the new head coach of the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls for the next three years. Botha, 42, was selected after a thorough recruitment process that included Ashley Noffke and Adam Hollioake.Botha, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, has extensive playing and coaching experience. He represented South Africa in 5 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, captaining the team in 21 white-ball matches. He also captained South Australia in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup for two years.In the BBL, Botha played 71 matches for the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, and Hobart Hurricanes. He retired in 2019 but returned as a fill-in during the COVID-19 pandemic.Botha's coaching experience includes stints with Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United in the PSL, Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, and Seattle Orcas in the MLC. He was also an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL.Queensland Cricket head of elite cricket Joe Dawes believes Botha's "harder edge" will benefit the Bulls and Heat. Botha expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying, "There is a lot to look forward to for Queensland Cricket."Botha's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a focus on competitiveness to the Queensland and Heat programs. His extensive experience and proven leadership skills will be valuable assets as the teams aim for success in the upcoming seasons.