Young guns dominate CA XI

Teenage sensations Jake Doran and Ben McDermott headline a host of young stars in the Cricket Australia XI to take on South Africa in a T20 match at North Sydney Oval on November 2.

Acting as a warm-up match for the Proteas ahead of their three-game series against Australia from November 5-9, the fixture will also provide an opportunity for some of this country’s most promising talent to display their wares on the big stage.

Doran, earmarked as a future Test batsman for the past couple of seasons, is the youngest contracted player in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, while McDermott makes his one-day domestic debut for Queensland in the preliminary final against New South Wales in Blacktown today (Friday).

Western Australia batsman Ashton Turner will lead the side, while his team-mate, left-arm paceman Joel Paris, has also been recognised for his superb form with Perth Scorchers in the Oppo Champions League last month, as well as for the Warriors in the ongoing Matador One-Day Cup.

CA’s Bupa National Cricket Centre (Bupa NCC) Head Coach Troy Cooley will coach the side, with Renegades mentor Simon Helmot as assistant coach.

“South Africa has been one of the most successful international teams in recent years so it will be a great experience for this CA XI, which includes some of the most exciting young cricketers in the country,” said CA national talent manager Greg Chappell.

“This will be a great leadership opportunity for captain Ashton Turner, who has been a very well-regarded player at Under-19 international level.

“He was a part of the National Performance Squad (NPS) that performed admirably in the mid-year Series against Australia A, South Africa A and India A.

“Victorian Sebastian Gotch has been very impressive with the bat since returning to cricket in 2013-14 following a stint with AFL side Greater Western Sydney.

“He was rewarded for his performances at Premier Cricket level with a Victorian rookie contract and has since continued his good form.

“Matthew Short has progressed well since his performance at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year.

“He recently made his debut for Victoria during the Matador One-Day Cup and was certainly not out of his depth.

“We have been delighted with the continued progress of Joel Paris since he represented Australia at the 2012 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Queensland.

“His consistent performances have earned him places for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers and his recent efforts at the Matador One-Day Cup have been particularly pleasing.”

CA XI squad: Ashton Turner (capt, WA/ Scorchers), James Bazley (Qld), Jake Doran (NSW/Thunder), Sebastian Gotch (Vic), Ben McDermott (Qld), James Muirhead (Vic/Stars), Joel Paris (WA/Scorchers), James Peirson (Qld/Heat), Clive Rose (Tas/Stars), Matthew Short (Vic/Renegades), Kelvin Smith (SA), Timm Van der Gugten (Tas/Hurricanes).

This tour match will be live streamed on cricket.com.au and will be played as a double-header following the WT20 international match between the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and West Indies