Jack Wildermuth determined to help Queensland Bulls bounce back for 2024-25 season

After a forgettable 2023-24 summer of cricket which saw the Queensland Bulls finish last in the Sheffield Shield and fifth in the Marsh Cup, all-rounder Jack Wildermuth reveals why his side will bounce back this year.

While it may only be pre-season the Queenslands Bulls are hungrier and more determined than ever before as they look to right the wrongs after a poor 2023-24 campaign.

For the first time in more than 15 years, the Bulls finished the Sheffield Shield season in last place and all-rounder Jack Wildermuth said the squad is eager to return to the heights of 2021 where they claimed the title in stunning fashion.

“The boys are more determined than ever because we’ve got a great squad, we’ve got some great talent and didn’t have the year that we wanted last year,” he said.

“I think we’ve built nicely this pre-season, everyone’s been here, the last few pre-seasons with the Ashes and things like that, a lot of our players have been away.

“This one, we’re building really nicely because we got a good connection, everyone is training hard and eager to get out there to start the season well.”

There will be a new man at the helm of both the Bulls and the Brisbane Heat this summer as Johan Botha has taken the reigns as head coach from Wade Seccombe.

“He’s (Botha) been fantastic, he’s not that far out of the game and brings a lot of experience in all forms of the game from his own personal career but also coaching as well,” Wildermuth said.

New Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat coach Johan Botha at Allan Border Field.

“It’s a new fresh perspective … he has high expectations for us because he sees a talented squad so we’re looking forward to see how it all plays out.”

After agonisingly close defeats to Tasmania and South Australia placed the Bulls on the back foot in the first half of the season, Wildermuth said there has been an increased focus on starting the season strongly and fitness.

“We lost some really close games late in day four and that cost us early in the year and you need wins up your sleeve going into the back end of the year,” he said.

“We didn’t win those crucial moments, the boys are fitter than ever so hopefully we’re winning those games late on day four or winning them earlier - putting ourselves in winning positions.

“I certainly don’t think were far off because we lost some close games but we’re pretty determined to turn it around.”

Along with hoping to return the Queensland to the top in the red and white-ball formats, Wildermuth heads into this summer determined to return to the Brisbane Heat Big Bash League line-up, after struggling to earn a spot in the team over the last two seasons.

“Brisbane Heat, we’ve had a couple of really good years so it has actually been quite tough sitting there,” he said.

Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth and Max Bryant of Queensland leave the field at end of play during the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and New South Wales. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It is bittersweet because the boys have been doing so well but you also want to play.

“I’m happy that we are going well but hoping to get an opportunity pretty soon and knock down that door to get back in.

“But it’s tough for places that’s for sure, especially when they’ve been doing so well.”

The all-rounder has spent time this off-season coaching the future stars of Darling Downs cricket at Highfields and Districts Railway Cricket Club.

“It’s great to be home, obviously I was born in Toowoomba, I’ve got some family and some great connections up here,” he said.

“I’ve loved joining in with the club and being up here and I got some enthusiastic kids around loving their cricket.

Jack Wildermuth bowls for the Queensland Bulls. Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“It is a huge effort this time of year to get everyone out, I know it has been pretty cold up here by all reports so it is a good effort in August to get all these juniors out here who seem enthusiastic.”

Wildermuth is flying the flag for the Darling Downs alongside Warwick’s Mark Steketee in the Bulls set-up and believes there is plenty of talent in the region coming through the ranks.

“Word travels, so if there is a bit of talent, there are plenty of pathways for guys from the country that can go on and play for Queensland or Australia,” he said.

“I speak for Mark Steketee and myself, we want those connections to continue to grow and see those guys dream that they can actually play for Australia and live in the country or live out of Brisbane.”