Six weeks after Luke Pomersbach’s cricket career appeared over, Queensland not only threw the wayward batsman a lifeline but described it as a “no-brainer”.
Critics on fan forums reacted quickly to Queensland signing Pomersbach on a one-season deal, drawing comparisons with the doomed Brendan Fevola-Brisbane Lions union.
But Queensland chief selector Trevor Hohns backed the team culture created by “firm but fair” Bulls coach Darren Lehmann to keep the hard-hitting Pomersbach on the right path.
“Everyone knows the history behind Luke – that’s been well documented,” Hohns said.
“It’s very easy to discard people but we are here to help.
“We will back our environment to bring out the best in him.
“The staff here are all right behind him and I trust his management who encouraged him to come to Queensland will play their part to keep him on the straight and narrow.”
Pomersbach relocated to Brisbane from Perth last season to play club cricket after being dumped by the Warriors for alcohol-related discipline breaches.
But the 27-year-old’s career looked doomed when arrested for assault in India while playing in the IPL, however, he was cleared after charges were withdrawn.
“I wasn’t in India. I don’t know what happened there. I know as much as you do,” Hohns said.
“(But) he has come here for the right reasons – for a fresh start.
“And on his own free will – we didn’t chase him.
“We also did a bit of research with people who have dealt with him recently – it was a no-brainer for us.”
Hohns would not comment on whether behavioural clauses were part of Pomersbach’s contract but baulked at Fevola comparisons.
“I don’t think it is in that (Fevola) category at all. He knows what is expected of him and we are happy to give him the opportunity,” Hohns said.
“We don’t give anyone guarantees here, but performance will count.”
Pomersbach – who in 2007 was famously recruited from the WACA car park to make his Twenty20 debut for Australia – joins Test discards Usman Khawaja and Nathan Hauritz as new faces in the 20-strong Queensland squad.
Ex-NSW duo Khawaja and Hauritz are among 13 players the Bulls have signed to two-season contracts in a break from a recent tradition of one-year deals.
Cut from last season’s squad were Ryan Broad, Ben Dunk, Scott Walter, Steve Paulsen and Alex Kemp while Steve Magoffin is playing out his career in England and Chris Swan has retired.