AFTER the ash cloud phenomenon brought about the cancellation of the June series, the great Queensland and New South Wales rivalry begins again tomorrow, not on the footy paddock but on the bowling green at South Tweed Sports.

After missing Queensland's series win last year, legendary Queensland and Australian bowler Kelvin Kerkow returns to a formidable-looking Maroons line-up for this series at his home club.

With more than 400 caps for his home state, Kerkow joins current and former Australian players Mark Casey, Nathan Rice, Anthony Kiepe and Brett Wilkie, while waiting on the New South Wales side are Aron Sherriff, Shane Globits and Mark Berghofer, who will fly the flag for the Blues.

Similarly the women boast great depth either side of the mat, although Queensland has won five of the past six series contested.

Maria Rigby skips her all-conquering Australian four of Gail Waitai, Lyn Cuthbertson, and Sue McKenzie, with recently anointed national captain Lynsey Armitage and Tracy Foster the other skips.

New South Wales has a legend of its own in Karen Murphy as one skip, alongside Beth Quinlan and Katrina Wright. With national players Julie Keegan and Natasha van Eldik also playing, it is easy to see why New South Wales fancies its chances.

The under-25s provide a chance for the up and coming bowlers to show their skills, not only in state colours but in various roles, as each player will rotate through the various disciplines of singles, pairs and triples.

Kerkow's old mate and Blues rival Steve Glasson will be watching rather than playing this time.

Glasson, having retired recently from representative bowls, is now the Australian head coach and will enjoy the state rivalries, as well as scrutinising current and potential Australian representatives.

During the accompanying photo shoot, Glasson joked that he had nearly as many representative caps as Kerkow, albeit 250 or so with New South Wales and the balance in his earlier days with Queensland.