10 best players of all time from Queensland

The Queensland cricket team was established way back in 1882. However, it was not till 1892-93 that the state was granted first-class status by the powers that be. The state got admission to the Sheffield Shield in the 1926-27 season. Since then, it has proven to be one of the most important members of the domestic cricket structure of the country.

Having won the Sheffield Shield title on five occasions from 1995, Queensland has been one of the most successful domestic sides in Australia in the new millennium. Over the course of their history, the state has produced some of Australia's finest cricketers even as many others have made their careers after moving to Queensland. Here are ten of the best players to represent the state.

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#10 Michael Kasprowicz

Kasprowicz was a valuable back-up bowler in the famous Australian lineup

Former Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz's international career might have been limited to only 38 Test matches and 43 one day internationals. But he remains a colossus of Queensland cricket. Kasprowicz was only 17 years old when he made his first appearance for the state in 1989. Over the course of the next 19 years, he became one of the best bowlers in the state's history.

Kasprowicz's medium pace bowling with just the right amount of seam movement and ability to bowl tirelessly made him the highest wicket-taker in Queensland's first-class history with 498 wickets. His career also coincided with many Sheffield Shield victories for the state.

#9 Andy Bichel

Bichel's all-round prowess turned him into a handy cricketer

Born in Laidley, former Australian all-rounder Andy Bichel was one of the most successful bowlers to have played for Queensland. The right-arm seamer ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the state's history with a tally of 463 wickets.

Bichel was a regular for Australia for a few years and was a key member of the World Cup-winning team of 2003. However, injuries eventually put a premature end to his career. He debuted for Queensland back in 1992 and continued to play for the side with distinction till 2007. Bichel's slippery style and ability to extract seam movement made him an extremely effective bowler. A first-class average of 26.51 is a testament to his skill-set as a seamer.

#8 Ryan Harris

Harris possessed a sharp tactical acumen to out-think opposition batsmen

If not for injuries, Ryan Harris would definitely have been included among the greatest fast bowlers to have ever played the game. Even then, he remains one of Australia's finest bowlers in recent memory. After having played for South Australia for six seasons, he moved to Queensland ahead of the 2008-09 season and played for the state till 2014.

His accuracy, controlled swing and seam movement, combined with sustained pace made him an extremely tough bowler to handle. As a result, he became one of Queensland's best bowlers during the period. In a first-class career spanning 81 games, he picked up 299 wickets at an average of 26.53 and his status as one of Queensland's all-time greats is secure.

#7 Ian Healy

Healy is one of the most reliable wicket-keepers to ever play the game

One of the greatest wicket-keepers to have ever played international cricket, Ian Healy held the record for most dismissals by a gloveman at the time of his retirement. The Queenslander played first-class cricket for his home state for around 13 years from 1986 and 1999.

During the course of his career, Healy became the country's pre-eminent wicket-keeper. His agility, catching technique, quick hands and ability to keep well to spinners made him an asset to have in the team. In 231 first-class games, he took 698 catches and effected 69 stumpings. On the other hand, Healy was a handy batsman too. He scored 8341 runs at an average of 30.22 from those matches.

#6 Craig McDermott

McDermott was a prolific wicket-taker at all levels

When he was only 18, Craig McDermott debuted for Queensland in 1983. The right-arm fast bowler continued to play for the state for the next 12 years and emerged as the fifth highest wicket-taker in its history with a haul of 329 wickets. McDermott also had an excellent career in international cricket and served as the leader of the Australian bowling attack in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.

He played 71 Tests and 138 one day internationals for Australia. McDermott's bowling action consisted of an aggressive delivery stride and he was known to bowl at great speeds at most times. In addition to that, he was an excellent out-swing bowler and picked up plenty of wickets throughout his first-class career by utilising the weapon.

#5 Jeff Thomson

Thomson terrorised batsmen all over the world with his raw pace

Whenever anyone discusses anything about fast bowlers who could put mortal fear in the minds of batsmen, then Australian pacer Jeff Thomson's name figures pretty high up in such a list. He terrorised batsmen with his pace throughout the 1970s. Owing to the famously quick Brisbane pitch, he found the perfect conditions to thrive at Queensland.

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Although Thomson was born in New South Wales and played there for two years, he moved to Queensland in 1974 and represented the state in first-class cricket for around 12 years. He is Queensland's 4th highest wicket-taker in history with a tally of 349 wickets and remains one of the greatest cricketers to have represented the state.

#4 Mitchell Johnson

Johnson was an intimidating sight at the end of his career

Mitchell Johnson was probably the most gifted Australian quick bowler of the last decade. Towards the end of his career, he was possibly the most intimidating bowler to face up to in international cricket. He was spotted by former Australian fast bowling great Dennis Lillee in Brisbane when he was only 17.

By the time he was 20, he had made his first-class debut for Queensland. He played for the state from 2001 till 2008 and during that period, he was the team's best whenever he was able to play. In his first-class career, he played 117 games in all and picked up a total of 465 wickets at an average of 28.71. Johnson is not only one of Australia's greatest bowlers but also among Queensland's finest.

#3 Matthew Hayden

Hayden formed one half of Australia's most prolific opening partnership in Tests

Unarguably, Matthew Hayden is one of the greatest opening batsmen to have ever played international cricket. Before he carved a niche for himself in the Australian side, the Queenslander piled on the runs for his home state in domestic cricket competitions.

Hayden debuted for Queensland in 1991 when he was just 20 and continued to play for them till 2009. During that period, he became the state's fifth highest run-scorer in history with a tally of 8831 runs. If he had been able to play more for his state, then he would definitely have scored much more. His record for Australia coupled with his heroics for Queensland makes him one of the greatest players to have ever played for the state.

#2 Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell is one of the finest batsmen to have played the game

Greg Chappell is one of Australia's greatest ever batsmen. Even though he started off playing first-class cricket at South Australia, the best years of his life as a batsman were spent at Queensland. Following his sensational debut in 1971, Chappell joined Queensland two years later.

During his reign as the world's best batsman, Chappell also scored plenty of runs for his state. Although there was a bit of a break due to his participation in World Series Cricket, he returned to Queensland once the issue was resolved and continued to play for them till 1984. In his entire first-class career, Chappell scored 24,535 runs and averaged 52.20 with 74 centuries.

#1 Allan Border

Border is one of the most revered captains in the history of the game

Allan Border was the captain of the national side when the team was going through its lowest point in the mid-1980s. However, it was under his stewardship that Australia became a top side once again. Aside from becoming one of Australia's greatest captains, the left-hander also piled on the runs for his adopted state side Queensland.

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The New South Welshman played for his home state for four years between 1976 and 1980, before moving to Queensland. Over the next 16 years, he scored 7661 runs to become the sixth highest run scorer in the state's first-class history. In his entire first-class career, he played in 385 games and averaged 51.38 with 70 centuries.