DCE set to lead Maroons after ankle surgery success

QUEENSLAND’s campaign has received a massive boost with their No.1 halfback, injured Daly Cherry-Evans, to be picked tomorrow for Origin I.

The Sunday Territorian can reveal Cherry-Evans’ recovery from ankle surgery has gone so smoothly the incumbent Maroons halfback will join Camp Maroon tomorrow to begin preparations for Game One at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

Cherry-Evans vowed to leave no stone unturned to pull off a miracle Origin comeback – and he has delivered.

The battle for the Queensland captaincy has now been whittled down to a race in two between Cherry-Evans and Michael Morgan, with Matt Gillett ruled out despite a push from Maroons champion Johnathan Thurston.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters will hold a final meeting with selectors Gene Miles, Darren Lockyer and Billy Slater tonight.

They will select injured duo Cherry-Evans and Titans workhorse Jai Arrow (hip flexor), with the Manly halfback to equal the quickest recovery from ankle surgery in NRL history to take the field in the series opener.

Bulldogs playmaker Kieran Foran recently returned from ankle surgery in five-and-ahalf weeks and Cherry-Evans has matched that speed of recovery after working around the clock to retain his beloved Maroons No.7 jumper.

Walters last night said Cherry-Evans is locked in as Queensland’s halfback, giving the Sea Eagles skipper another 10 days to strengthen his ankle for his eighth Origin game.

LIKELY TEAM: Kalyn Ponga, Corey Oates, Will Chambers, Michael Morgan, Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Jai Arrow, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Bench: Anthony Milford/Jake Granville, Dylan Napa, Joe Ofahengaue, Jarrod Wallace.