Queensland Cricket and Castlemaine Perkins today announced a new five-year major sponsorship at the XXXX Queensland Bulls and Konica Queensland Fire season launch.

Castlemaine Perkins Managing Director Les Sayers announced the deal in the appropriate surrounds of the XXXX Brewery where guests were served a special commemorative XXXX Gold Bulls stubby at today's function.

"This deal is both important for cricket at an elite level with a team like the XXXX Bulls but also at the grassroots level across the State because that is absolutely crucial to our business," he said.

The renewed sponsorship comes on top of the previous major sponsorship that has spanned nine years. The relationship with XXXX commenced in 1993-94 when the Bulls were launched.

Included in their lucrative sponsorship package were naming rights for the XXXX Queensland Bulls and exclusive beer pourage rights at the Gabba during all cricket matches at the ground.

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Graham Dixon said the new sponsorship deal confirmed the healthy state of the game in Queensland.

The sponsorship announcement coincided with the first selection of the Bulls team for the coming season.

Pace bowler Ashley Noffke has been included in the full-strength Queensland team for the opening Pura Cup clash against the Western Warriors at the Gabba from Wednesday, although he will face a final fitness check on his injured ankle on Monday.

The player of the match in the Pura Cup Final last season, Noffke has made a steady recovery from an ankle injury that cut short his Ashes tour in August and bowled a ten over spell for the QAS Colts team in their one-day win over the Northern Territory yesterday.

The Bulls will also check the status of captain Stuart Law, who was forced to miss today's launch after being bed-ridden with a virus.

The Queensland Academy of Sport 2nd XI team to play New Zealand at Allan Border Field from Tuesday was also named, with eight Bulls squad members contained within its ranks.

Opener Jerry Cassell will captain the team which contains Lee Carseldine, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brendan Nash and Scott O'Leary with Queensland rookie-contracted players Damien Mackenzie and Craig Philipson also selected.

XXXX QUEENSLAND BULLS v Western Warriors, Pura Cup, Wed-Sat, the Gabba: Stuart Law (c), Andrew Bichel, Adam Dale, Joe Dawes, Matthew Hayden, Michael Kasprowicz, Martin Love, Jimmy Maher, Ashley Noffke, Clinton Perren, Wade Seccombe, Andrew Symonds.

QUEENSLAND ACADEMY OF SPORT v New Zealand, Allan Border Field, Tues-Fri: Jerry Cassell (c), Lee Carseldine, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Damien Mackenzie, Brendan Nash, Scott O'Leary, Daniel Payne, Craig Philipson, Chris Simpson.

© 2001 Queensland Cricket