Finch, White added to CA XI to face NZ

Following their omission from Victoria's squad for the opening round of the Sheffield Shield, Commonweath Bank Bushrangers duo Aaron Finch and Cameron White have been added to the Cricket Australia XI to face New Zealand in Blacktown tomorrow.

The pair will fly to Sydney today to take on the Black Caps in a three-day tour match in the tourists' last hit-out before the first Test against Australia in Brisbane next Thursday.

Both Finch and White were overlooked by Victoria for their day-night clash against the myFoot Dr Queensland Bulls at the MCG starting today, and will replace Sam Heazlett and Jake Carder in the squad.

Quick single: Finch, White left out by Bushrangers

CA General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard jumped at the opportunity to draft in the experienced Victorians despite costing two emerging young players the chance to play against an international opponent.

"The CA XI squad was named before most states had finalised their playing XI for the first round of Sheffield Shield," Howard said.

"Once it became known Aaron and Cameron wouldn’t be playing for Victoria in this Shield round, the opportunity presented to call two experienced players into the CA XI squad.

"Unfortunately this means two players will miss out, but Sam and Jake know they are on the National Selection Panel’s radar.

"There will be another CA XI tour match later this year which will be an opportunity for these players to be considered again."

Australia T20 captain and World Cup-winner Finch had a disappointing Matador BBQs One-Day Cup campaign for the Bushrangers, scoring 112 runs at 18.66.

Quick single: Kiwis keen to remain 'nice guys'

And while White was more productive – 137 runs at 27.40 – the 32-year-old made way for the returning Glenn Maxwell for the elimination final against the West End Redbacks.

But ever cloud has a silver lining, with the Shield snub providing Finch and White an opportunity to display their skills against the highly-ranked and respected Black Caps led by cavalier captain Brendon McCullum.

Victorian chairman of selectors, Andrew Lynch, said it wasn't easy dropping the international pair, and expects them to feature in selection meetings throughout the Shield season.

"We’re really pleased Finch and White were available and selected for the CA XI squad against New Zealand in Blacktown," Lynch said.

"This will provide them with further long-form opportunity at the highest level.

"We had some incredibly difficult decisions to make for round one Sheffield Shield selection and with the suite of Victorian players available, it was unfortunate that Finch and White missed out.

"We do expect there will opportunities for both players in future Shield fixtures."