Big captaincy move for Marnus

Queensland cricket officials person fixed prima batter Marnus Labuschagne a leg-up successful his quest for an Australian enactment relation aft making him Queensland Bulls skipper for the 2024-25 season, replacing Test opener Usman Khawaja.

Labuschagne, who turns 30 this weekend, is presently successful England playing state cricket for Glamorgan and Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said it was an “ideal time” for him to amusement his enactment credentials.

There is nary walk-up campaigner to regenerate Pat Cummins arsenic nationalist Test captain, with Travis Head his vice-captain.

“It is an perfect accidental for Marnus to erstwhile again showcase his enactment abilities and supply him with acquisition astatine archetypal people and one-day level,” Svenson said.

“He and our players enjoyed the accidental helium had past play to pb the Bulls and Marnus is excited astir the play up and moving with caller coach, Johan Botha.

Labuschagne led the Bulls successful 1 time and Sheffield Shield matches against South Australia past play successful the lack of Khawaja.

“I’m greatly honoured to beryllium appointed Queensland captain, arsenic I cognize however overmuch the Bulls mean to the fans astir the state,’’ Labuschagne said.

“I’ve been successful a precise fortunate presumption to play alongside immoderate exceptional leaders, and the accidental to measurement up and bash a occupation for the squad I emotion is exciting.”

“We person a large radical of players and 1 of the aspects of the captaincy that I americium astir looking guardant to is helping america to marque the astir of the operation and opportunities we are creating present successful Queensland.”

Khawaja, who led the Bulls to the 2020-21 Marsh Sheffield Shield title, congratulated Labuschagne.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to skipper the Bulls since I got the accidental successful 2015 erstwhile James Hopes stepped down,’’ helium said.

“Well done to Marnus – I americium definite helium volition find the relation arsenic fulfilling and rewarding arsenic I did.

“I’m looking guardant to continuing to pb the Heat successful the BBL which is specified an important constituent to the crippled successful this state and making the astir of my playing opportunities with Queensland this season.”

Khawaja volition stay skipper of the Brisbane Heat successful the Big Bash.