Overlooked by Australian selectors once more, Ben Cutting’s disappointment is Queensland’s delight as the Bulls chase a third straight domestic one-day title.
Cutting was left out of Australia’s Twenty20 and one-day squads to take on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, a tour which clashes with this month’s domestic one-day cup.
It’s a personal setback for the bowling all-rounder, who has played just four ODIs and three T20 internationals since debuting for Australia in January 2013.
His availability however is a huge plus for the Bulls, who kickstart their campaign for a hat-trick of titles at the Gabba on Saturday against Victoria.
Bulls skipper James Hopes says Cutting simply has to keep performing for his state until his claims are too strong to ignore.
“I can tell you first-hand, it takes time to play for Australia all the time and Cuttsy’s going through that at the moment,” Hopes told AAP.
“All he can do is come back here. Have a big one-day tournament and put his hand up again for the games against South Africa.
“Eventually they stop ignoring you and you’re in the team all the time. It’s a big four weeks for him.”
The Bulls’ success in recent seasons has been built on the stability of their line-up, giving them the depth to feel they can manage the injury-enforced absences of star batsman Chris Lynn and Test quick Ryan Harris.
In Lynn’s place the Bulls have included Peter Forrest and Joe Burns after both were omitted from last year’s tournament while towering quick Peter George will be aiming for an instant impact after moving north from South Australia in the winter.
“We’ve got a pretty stable group of players. It’s not going to be anything new for them playing in big games or under pressure,” Hopes said.
“We’re looking forward to this year. We know we’ve got a good team.”
The Bulls rivals have all been hit by international call-ups.
NSW will be missing several key players including last year’s star turn David Warner while Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia have to make do without important assets.
South Australia believe they can make an impact with the return of fiery quick Shaun Tait.
The 31-year-old doesn’t hold a contract with the Redbacks after several summers as a T20 specialist but batsman Callum Ferguson says the World Cup winner is poised to make a major impact.
“Right now he’s looking in fantastic condition physically and the ball’s coming out well,” Ferguson said.
“To see him bowling fast, and with the late swing that I saw when we were a lot younger, it’s really exciting for us. Something we didn’t expect to have this year.
“I’m looking forward to watching him wizz them around the ears.”
