Usman Khawaja will join Queensland from the 2012/13 season
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Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and top order batsman Usman Khawaja were today named in the Queensland Bulls squad for 2012/13.

Khawaja, a NSW junior, debuted for the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues in 2007/08 and played 29 First Class matches for NSW for 2169 runs at 49.30, with a top score of 214. He also played 12 Limited Overs matches, making 497 runs at 41.42, and eight T20 matches for 151 runs at 25.17.

The young left-hander expressed his gratitude to NSW after the announcement was made this morning.

"The decision to join Queensland has been the toughest decision of my career, particularly because I had to leave my home, my mates, my family, and my clubs of Cricket NSW and Randwick Petersham,’’ he said.

“I owe a great deal to where I am, and what I've achieved, to Cricket NSW and the ‘Randy-Petes’. I would like to thank David Thompson, all the coaching and office staff, and all the players who've given me some great memories and even greater lessons about cricket.

“And to Bill Anderson and Mike Whitney for all they have done in what is one of the best run clubs in Australia.”

Hauritz came to NSW in 2006/07 with no guarantee of a NSW SpeedBlitz Blues contract. He did, however, earn a place in the squad that season and went on to play 17 First Class matches taking 42 wickets.

He also played 34 Limited Overs matches for 40 wickets, and 16 T20 matches for 17 wickets. Hauritz was also key player in NSW’s victory at the 2009 Champions League in India.

"I left Queensland looking for opportunity and gained that with NSW, and for that, I am eternally grateful,'' he said.

"I was able to realise my dream of playing for Australia and thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket with NSW and with Randwick-Petersham. My wife Di and I enjoyed living in Sydney, but when the possibility emerged for us to come back home, it was too good to miss."