Love and Hodge replace injured Bevan and Clarke for PM's XI v ATSIC Chairman's XI match

Queensland Bulls batsman Martin Love has been called to replace Michael Bevan as captain of the Prime Minister's XI for its limited-overs match against the ATSIC Chairman's XI in Canberra on Friday 8 March.

Bevan has been forced to withdraw from the side due to an injury to the top joint of his right ring finger. He has been ordered to rest ahead of the one-day international leg of the 2002 Travelex Tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe, beginning in Johannesburg on 22 March.

Love is the second highest run-scorer in this season's Pura Cup competition, having made 915 runs for the Queensland Bulls at 70.38. He has scored two hundreds, including an unbeaten 202 against the Southern Redbacks in February.

Upon his sudden call-up to lead the Prime Minister's XI, Love said: "It's disappointing for Michael that he has had to withdraw from the match due to injury.

"Looking at the ATSIC Chairman's XI selected, it should be a high-class match. I'm pleased to be back playing for the Prime Minister's XI again. This is my fifth appearance in a PM's XI match and it's an honour to be named captain of this side," he said.

Bevan, who will still attend Friday's match, said he was disappointed at missing a chance to play in his home city.

"It's disappointing to miss the match. I was looking forward to leading the Prime Minister's team and returning to Canberra where I played my junior cricket," he said.

"I am pleased though that I can still be involved in the game and play a role in promoting cricket in Australia's Indigenous communities.

"Although I would love to be out in the middle, it is important that I manage this injury properly so that I am 100 per cent fit for the tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe," he added.

Bevan's New South Wales (NSW) Blues team-mate Michael Clarke has also been forced to withdraw from the match after fracturing his left big toe. He will be replaced in the Prime Minister's side by prolific Victorian Bushrangers batsman Brad Hodge.

Clarke was struck on the toe by a delivery from Queensland Bulls fast-bowler Michael Kasprowicz in the Pura Cup match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday (4 March). He is in doubt for the Blues' next Pura Cup fixture against the Tasmanian Tigers in Hobart, beginning on 13 March.

Hodge, like Love, has also enjoyed an outstanding Pura Cup season. The right-hander has scored 855 runs from nine matches at 65.76. He has made four hundreds, including a top-score of 140 against the Southern Redbacks in October 2001.

The Prime Minister's XI features a mix of first-class players in Love, Hodge, Brad Haddin, Paul Rofe, Cameron White and Australia's newest one-day international squad member Nathan Hauritz.

Friday's match is likely to be 20-year-old Hauritz's last hit-out before he departs for South Africa on 16 March.

Also taking part for the Prime Minister's XI are Daniel Christian, Xavier Doherty and Craig Simmons, who, along with White, were members of Australia's successful under-19 side that claimed the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand last month.

The ATSIC Chairman's XI boasts several talented indigenous cricketers, many of which play first-grade cricket around the country. Clinton and Timothy Dann from Western Australia were last year's stand-out players, top scoring for both sides. Clinton was named man-of-the-match for his 87 not out for the ATSIC side, while Timothy netted 74 for the Prime Minister's XI.

The brothers have been selected on the same side for this year's match, both lining up for the ATSIC Chairman's XI.

Friday's match at Manuka Oval begins at 1000 (EST). Six-hundred free tickets have been distributed to ACT and NSW bushfire and emergency service volunteers, as a gesture of thanks for their efforts during the December 2001 bushfire crisis.

Tickets are still available to the general public by contacting Ticketek on (02) 6219 6666. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate.