Prestwidge, Bazley win Queensland contracts for 2021-22

The Prestwidge family could have yet another Queensland representative in the coming years after teenage quick Will became the third child of former Bulls allrounder Scott to earn a state contract.

Will, the younger brother of Jack and Georgia Prestwidge who have both represented Queensland, has been handed a rookie deal as the reigning Marsh Sheffield Shield champions unveiled a largely settled squad for the 2021-22 season.

The departures of fast bowler Brendan Doggett and young batter Nathan McSweeney mark the only exits from the main Bulls squad, while rookies Corey Hunter and Benji Floros have been delisted.

Allrounder James Bazley has earned a full contract after strong showings for both the Bulls and the Brisbane Heat last summer.

Will Prestwidge is the youngest son of Scott Prestwidge, who played 55 games for Queensland and is now an assistant coach with the Brisbane Heat's WBBL team.

Georgia, 23, still plays for the Heat and WNCL champions Queensland Fire, while Jack (25) is contracted with the Melbourne Renegades having previously played for both the Heat and the Bulls.

Will, 19, took 18 wickets for Northern Suburbs in Queensland Premier Cricket last season and impressed with his raw pace.

"Will Prestwidge has earned an opportunity with the squad as a rookie and we're confident his game will benefit further from joining our program," said Bulls coach Wade Seccombe.

"He's no stranger to what we are looking to achieve as a group and we're looking forward to welcoming him into the squad."

Bazley, a close friend and former housemate of Marnus Labuschagne, played 11 games for the Cricket Australia XI back in 2015 and 2016 when it was included in the domestic 50-over competition.

But 2020-21 proved something of a breakout season for the now 26-year-old, who played a number of important innings for the Heat while making his Marsh Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup debuts for the Bulls.

"James (Bazley) is a great example to others of a player who has worked fiercely to make the best of his opportunities and learned from early career challenges to make sure he was ready when the call came," said Seccombe.

Doggett had been limited to a just one first-class match in two seasons due to injury before his return last summer, taking 22 wickets at 26.81 for the Bulls this summer with his final scalp securing the Sheffield Shield title for the Bulls last month over NSW.

The right-armer, who was included on Australia's 2018 Test tour of the UAE to face Pakistan, has faced strong competition for fast-bowling spots from Michael Neser, Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Billy Stanlake and, until his departure last year, Cameron Gannon.

McSweeney was a highly-rated junior and was part of the Australia's 2018 Under-19 World Cup squad, but has played just five first-class games for Queensland since his debut in 2018.

"Both players were up front with us that they were seeking greater playing opportunities and challenges which they believe they can achieve elsewhere," Seccombe said of McSweeney and Doggett.

"It is a something of a bittersweet reality that the successful program that we have established here in Queensland does mean that other teams can look at our players as individuals who can potentially come in and contribute straight away.

"But in the bigger picture, we are all striving to produce players for the national teams in the various formats and we accept that more Queenslanders playing at first class and one day is helping to contribute to a competitive Australian Cricket environment.

"We wish each of the players who are moving off the Queensland contract list all the best in their future endeavours."

Queensland Bulls 2021-22

In: James Bazley, Will Prestwidge

Out: Brendan Doggett (SA), Nathan McSweeney (SA), Corey Hunter, Benji Floros

Squad: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Joe Burns, Max Bryant, Jack Clayton (rookie),  Blake Edwards, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne (CA contracted), Michael Neser, Lachlan Pfeffer, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge (rookie), Matt Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Connor Sully (rookie), Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth, Matthew Willans (rookie), Jack Wood