Test aspirant Mitchell Swepson will return for Queensland in one-day and Sheffield Shield games this week, after initial fears a rare stress fracture in his neck had ended the leg-spinner's summer.
The Bulls and Brisbane Heat BBL spinner hasn't played since early February after reporting pain in his neck, with scans revealing a stress fracture in the C6 vertebrae more commonly seen in fast bowlers.
Swepson has recovered well and will feature for Queensland in the 50-over and four-day formats as they aim to secure spots in both domestic finals.
The 27-year-old Swepson led the wicket-taking race with 23 dismissals at an average of 21.17 in the opening phase of the Shield season.
Before succumbing to injury in the BBL, he played three T20 internationals for Australia and was named for the postponed South Africa Test tour after carrying the drinks for the home Test series against India.
Set to face a near full-strength NSW at North Sydney Oval before their Shield encounter in Wollongong from Saturday, Queensland will depart Brisbane on Monday afternoon before the city's three-day COVID-19 lockdown is imposed.
The Bulls are top of both the one-day and first-class standings before their final games in both formats.
A win on Wednesday against the Blues ensures a home final on April 11 at Allan Border Field, but a loss potentially keeps them out of the one-day decider altogether.
