Australia will examine its next generation of Test cricketers in India later this month with a view to the likelihood there will be significant change in the national squad after next year’s Ashes.
But the Australia A squad chosen for two four day games later in September also serves as a pointer to those in the frame for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series this summer, with Victorian veteran Peter Handscomb shaping as a prospect to tour.
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Former Test representatives Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, fresh from a prolific county cricket season, will join Victorian opener Campbell Kellaway, Handscomb and ex-Australian under-19 talent Jason Sangha on the tour.
Brendon Doggett and Jhye Richardson, who showed their talent in the Ashes, along with Victorians Todd Murphy and Fergus O’Neill and Western Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli will also feature in India.
Konstas will also step out in the ODI format alongside exciting youngsters Mahli Beardman, with Spencer Johnson also returning as he seeks to build form after injury forced him out of the entire domestic season last year.
Spencer Johnson missed the entirety of last summer with injury but returned for a T20 in Bangladesh in June and will continue his comeback on an Australia A tour of India later this month. (Photo by AFP)Source: AFP
Australian selection chairman George Bailey is excited by the balance in the squad and said it served as an opportunity to shine ahead of what shapes as a massive 12 months of cricket for the country.
“We are excited by these squads and what they might achieve out of the series,” he said.
“Many of these players have played international cricket, while for others it’s a continuation of previous opportunities across Australia A and CAXI formats.
“We consider these tours an important part of performance and developing game styles in subcontinent conditions as part of our continued investment into the Australia A program.
“It’s a strong representation of players who will be in contention to be part of the group we take to India next year or see as having potential for further opportunities into the future.”
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Australia A – four-day matches
Brendan Doggett (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Jack Edwards (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Peter Handscomb (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Sam Harper (VIC/Melbourne Cricket Club)
Liam Hatcher (NSW/Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club)
Campbell Kellaway (VIC/Melbourne Cricket Club)
Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Nathan McSweeney (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Fergus O’Neill (VIC/Melbourne Cricket Club)
Josh Philippe (NSW/Western Suburbs District Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Corey Rocchiccioli (WA/University Cricket Club)
Jason Sangha (SA/Kensington Cricket Club)
Liam Scott (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Australia A – one-day games
Mahli Beardman (WA/Melville Cricket Club)
Nikhil Chaudhary (TAS/Glenorchy Cricket Club)
Ben Dwarshuis (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Jack Edwards (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Aaron Hardie (WA/Willetton Cricket Club)
Spencer Johnson (SA/West Torrens Cricket Club)
Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Nathan McSweeney (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Mitch Owen (TAS/New Town Cricket Club)
Josh Philippe (NSW/Western Suburbs District Cricket Club)
Tanveer Sangha (NSW/Campbelltown Camden Cricket Club)
Liam Scott (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Lachlan Shaw (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)