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CA XI to play in Matador Cup again

Development team to continue in 2016 tournament after strong results for members of the inaugural team

Cricket Australia's move to include a CA XI in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup will continue in 2016-17.

The inexperienced team of largely uncapped state players was introduced last summer, winning one match against Tasmania in its Matador Cup debut.

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After being bowled out for less than 100 in their first two matches against Victoria and NSW, they proved much more competitive in the second half of the competition and off the back of the quick elevation of a number of players to higher honours, the trial has been deemed a success and will continue into a second year.

"We said initially that we were prepared to back this for a two-year trial and we are sticking to that for the second season as we felt that there were significantly positive results for Australian Cricket," CA Executive General Manager of High Performance Pat Howard said.

"With the postponement of the Test tour last October, the CA XI came up against very strong state sides, which was wonderful for the competition but was also a tough introduction for the young group.

"It is important we continue to review the concept again this season, as there were many positives."

Ten members of the CA XI went on to play in last summer's KFC Big Bash League or Sheffield Shield competition, while Sam Heazlett and Mitch Swepson each earned Australia A call ups this year.

National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said this year's squad would be chosen in conjunction with State Talent Managers and guided by the National Selection Panel, with an eye to "stretching and extending" players.

"With Australia A and the National Performance Squad playing games during the winter, I think we will gauge quite quickly what sort of team we will assemble.

The on-field results we obtained last season weren’t measured in the wins and losses column, but in the elevation of 10 players from the originally selected squad who had played either BBL or first class cricket by the end of the season."

CA XI squads were also introduced into junior national tournaments last year, ranging from under-15s to under-19s in both the male and female competitions.