MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
· National Selector ROD MARSH will hold a press conference in Sydney at the Cricket NSW auditorium, at 12.00pm AEST.
· STEVE O’KEEFE, SEAN ABBOTT and PAT CUMMINS will be available for interview following the Rod Marsh press conference at approx. 12.30pm at the Sydney Cricket Ground nets.
· MITCHELL MARSH will be available at Perth International Airport arrivals area at approx. 2.00pm WST. Marsh will be arriving on SA280 from Johannesburg. The WACA’s Glen Foreman will manage this opportunity 0417 577 471
· AARON FINCH will hold a press conference at the Sydney International Airport press conference room (ground floor international arrivals area) at approx. 2.30pm. Finch will be arriving off QF64 from Johannesburg.
Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel has today announced the following squads for the upcoming VB Tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Test squad
ODI Squad
Michael Clarke - Captain
NSW
Michael Clarke - Captain
NSW
Alex Doolan
TAS
Sean Abbott
NSW
Phil Hughes
SA
George Bailey
TAS
Brad Haddin
NSW
James Faulkner
TAS
Nathan Lyon
NSW
Aaron Finch
VIC
Mitchell Marsh
WA
Brad Haddin
NSW
Glenn Maxwell
VIC
Nathan Lyon
NSW
Steve O'Keefe
NSW
Mitchell Marsh
WA
Mitchell Johnson
WA
Glenn Maxwell
VIC
Chris Rogers
VIC
Mitchell Johnson
WA
Peter Siddle
VIC
Steve Smith
NSW
Steve Smith
NSW
Mitchell Starc
NSW
Mitchell Starc
NSW
David Warner
NSW
David Warner
NSW
Shane Watson
NSW
Shane Watson
NSW
T20 squad
Aaron Finch - Captain
VIC
Sean Abbott
NSW
Cameron Boyce
QLD
Pat Cummins
NSW
James Faulkner
TAS
Brad Haddin
NSW
Mitchell Marsh
WA
Glenn Maxwell
VIC
Kane Richardson
SA
Steve Smith
NSW
Mitchell Starc
NSW
David Warner
NSW
Shane Watson
NSW
Commenting on the chosen touring party, National Selector Rod Marsh said: “This series against Pakistan is highly important for Australian cricket, presenting a chance to reclaim the number one Test ranking. It also forms an important part of our preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup as well as the opportunity to claim valuable points in the fight for the number one ODI ranking.
“Picking a three format touring party comes with its challenges. Each squad has been selected taking into account the conditions expected in the UAE and also with an eye on the World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2016.”
Test Squad
New South Wales left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O’Keefe and West Australian Mitchell Marsh have both been selected in the Test squad for the first time.
Commenting on these inclusions, the National Selector said: “We have picked Steve O’Keefe as the extra spinner for the Test tour. We are unsure what pitch conditions we will encounter in the UAE but we need to be prepared to play two spinners. Steve was the highest wicket-taker in the Bupa Sheffield Shield last season and we are confident he can perform at the next level.
“Mitch Marsh is a player of immense talent and is a bright prospect for the future of Australian cricket. His form with Australia A has been fantastic and he carried that through to the recent Zimbabwe tour. If he gets his opportunity, we know he will make the most of it.”
Marsh also commented on the inclusion of Victorian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and South Australian batsman Phil Hughes.
“Glenn is a talented all-rounder who enjoys playing on dry pitches. Phil has been in excellent form and has been rewarded with a place in the Test squad. His attitude to his game has been first rate and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.”
Hughes will travel to the UAE earlier than the remainder of his Test teammates to spend time working on his batting against spin with coaching, consultant Muthiah Muralidaran.
One-Day International Squad
Marsh said this series against Pakistan will give players a chance to stake their claim for selection in Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup squad.
Earning national representation for the first time is New South Wales paceman Sean Abbott.
Marsh commented: “Sean is a bright young cricketer and gets his opportunity in the short form matches. He has shown great improvement in all forms of the game with New South Wales and was the highest wicket taker in last season’s RYOBI one-day cup. His recent performances in Darwin with the National Performance Squad were also outstanding.”
Twenty20 International Squad
Marsh also announced that New South Wales quick Pat Cummins will make his return to international cricket as part of the T20 squad. Cummins last represented Australia in October 2012, before suffering a back injury.
“Pat has worked incredibly hard to come back from injury. We would love to see him perform well in the UAE and put his hand up for further opportunities this summer. We see Pat as a long-term prospect for Australian cricket and it is exciting to see him back playing again.”
Queensland leg-spinner Cameron Boyce also gains national selection for the first time in the T20 squad.
“Cameron impressed recently in the Australia A Series and will get his chance to represent Australia in a one-off T20 International. He had a terrific KFC Big Bash League last summer and he will gain great experience playing for Hobart Hurricanes in India during the Champions League.”
Due to the condensed nature of the schedule, should any Australian player be required for the Champions League Final they will be deemed unavailable for the T20 International against Pakistan on October 5.
The National Selection Panel consists of Rod Marsh, Trevor Hohns, Darren Lehmann and Mark Waugh.