Matthew Kuhnemann, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has left Queensland and is set to join Tasmania in pursuit of more first-class cricket opportunities. This move aims to enhance his chances of selection for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, former Test opener Joe Burns has been omitted from Queensland’s contract list following a disappointing season.
Kuhnemann, 27, made his Test debut for Australia last year in India, claiming 5 for 16 in Australia’s only victory in Indore. However, since then, he has not featured in a single Sheffield Shield match for Queensland. The Bulls have preferred legspinner Mitchell Swepson as their primary spinner, leaving Kuhnemann with limited opportunities.
In Tasmania, Kuhnemann is expected to become the team’s leading spinner in both Shield and Marsh Cup cricket. He will bolster Tasmania’s attack, which narrowly missed out on winning the Shield title last season. Kuhnemann remains contracted to play for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL for the next two seasons.
Burns, on the other hand, has been left out of Queensland’s contract after being dropped from both the Shield and Marsh Cup sides last summer. His Shield omission came as a surprise, given his strong performances earlier in the season. Despite being the Bulls’ leading run-scorer through the first seven games, Queensland opted to promote younger batters in the second half of the season.
Queensland has decided not to offer the 34-year-old Burns a contract. He has played 23 Tests for Australia and scored four Test centuries. He is also out of contract at the Melbourne Stars.
The Bulls have instead promoted opener Angus Lovell onto the contract list after his Shield debut last summer. Queensland has also signed four of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup winners for next season, including captain Hugh Weibgen and promising quick Callum Vidler.
Queensland is still searching for a new coach after parting ways with Wade Seccombe last month.
