James hopes to play on, but not as captain

The myFoot Dr Queensland Bulls will be on the lookout for a new captain for the 2015-16 domestic season after current skipper James Hopes revealed he wants to step down next summer.

Hopes, who has played 15 seasons in the sunshine state since making his first-class debut in 2001, laughed off suggestions he could continue for a few more seasons, but is eager to play next year without the burden of captaincy

“A couple of years might be pushing it but I’m talking to Queensland Cricket now,” the 36-year-old told cricket.com.au.

“They’re (Queensland Cricket) keen for me to go around for one more year I think.

“More so it’s me who just wants to go round as a player – I don’t really want to captain.

“I’d love to get back in amongst the group and just play as a player and then that will take the pressure off, like having to play back-to-back games as well.

“I’m keen to go around for one more year but it’s a long off-season, so I’ll see how we’re going.” 

Hopes takes four against the Redbacks on day one

If Hopes does continue as a player only, batsman Chris Lynn looms as the ideal candidate step up as captain.

The 24-year-old averages 46.40 at first-class level and is a stalwart in Queensland’s four-day and 50-over teams, as well as the Brisbane Heat in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Lynn made his T20 debut for Australia in January last year, scoring 33 from 19 balls against England at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Hopes became Queensland’s 49th Shield captain when he took over from Chris Simpson in 2010-11, the same season he was named the Sheffield Shield player of the year after taking 27 wickets at 20.11 and scoring 587 runs at 58.70.

One season later, Hopes led his state to its seventh Shield title, starring with 5-61 in the second innings to defeat Tasmania by three wickets at the Gabba.

The right-armer is the leading wicket-taker in Australian one-day domestic cricket history with 152 wickets from 110 matches.