The National Selection Panel has today named a 15-man squad for Australia A’s VB Tour of Africa in July and August.
The squad is:
- Steve Smith (c)
- Aaron Finch (vc)
- Ashton Agar
- Fawad Ahmed
- Nathan Coulter-Nile
- Alex Doolan
- Josh Hazlewood
- Moises Henriques
- Nic Maddinson
- Mitchell Marsh
- Shaun Marsh
- Glenn Maxwell
- Tim Paine
Gurinder Sandhu - Chadd Sayers
National Selector John Inverarity said:
“This is a young squad with an abundance of talent and all players will be pressing for higher honours.”
“Three players are from the ICC Champions Trophy Squad, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Coulter-Nile; seven from the current Australia A Squad in the UK, Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Doolan, Moises Henriques, Chadd Sayers, Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith.
“Shaun Marsh is being provided with another opportunity and we are looking forward to his undoubted talent coming to the fore. It will be a very good opportunity for him as it will be for Aaron Finch who did so well against the England Lions in February.
“Twenty-year-old opening bowler Gurinder Sandhu was most impressive at the end of the Australian summer and deserves this recognition. Josh Hazlewood is a fine prospect and a thorough off-season preparation should see him at his best in South Africa.
“Tim Paine is an experienced and most accomplished cricketer and will be the squad’s wicketkeeper.
“Steve Smith has been appointed captain and should gain a great deal of leadership experience from the tour.
“Should replacements be required for the Ashes tour these players will be playing in a similar time-zone from during this time.
“Pat Cummins will accompany the squad as a development player. He is in a similar situation currently with the Australia A Squad in the UK. His carefully planned rehabilitation is progressing very well and he will play in a couple of very low intensity games in Ireland this week. There is a possibility he could play towards the backend of the tour to South Africa also.”
Match Schedule
Three/Four-Day Matches
18-20 July – 3-Day match v Zimbabwe, Harare
24-27 July – 4-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
31 July – 3 August – 4-Day match v South Africa A, Rustenburg
One-Day Tri-Series
6 August – 1-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
8 August – 1-Day match v India A, Pretoria
10 August – 1-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
11 August – 1-Day match v India A, Pretoria
14 August – 1-Day Final, Pretoria