Australia A squad announced

Early auditions for the role of Australia's next Test all-rounder will provide one of the compelling sub-plots during the forthcoming four-way development series to be played in northern Australia later this year.

In announcing a provisional 21-man Australia A squad today for the six-week series that will be staged in Brisbane, Darwin, Palmerston and Townsville, the national selectors have provided an indication as to who they see as likely to fill key roles in the Test line-up in the years ahead.

Among the most hotly-debated selection dilemmas is who is next in line to fill the vital role of all-rounder, currently held by Shane Watson whose top-order batting and high-class seam bowling provide vital balance and flexibility to Michael Clarke's team.

Such is the importance of Watson to the Test set-up, should he succumb to injury – as was the case in the first two Tests of the recent series in South Africa – a significant restructuring of personnel is required to cover his dual contributions.

As a result, the selectors are keen to identify the next Test all-rounder-in–waiting and the player favoured to fill that role, James Faulkner, has been included in the provisional Australia A squad along with Bupa Sheffield Shield final hero Moises Henriques and unfulfilled talent Mitchell Marsh.

The winter series, that also features South Africa A, India A and a National Performance Squad of Australia's best up-and-coming players, will include a quadrangular one-day tournament as well as a number of four-day games.

Quick Single: Australia A Quad Series full details

While they have left the door open to change the make-up of the Australia A squad depending on individual workloads and preparatory needs for upcoming Test and ODI commitments, the selectors have named a squad that recognises efforts of the summer past as well as fixes an eye on the future.

"As it is more than three months before the start of the (winter) program we have decided to name a provisional squad," selection panel chair John Inverarity said today.

"Players could be added to, or withdrawn from the squad at a later date depending upon fitness, workloads and the need for match preparation for Australian representation for Tests against Pakistan (in the UAE in October) or the South Africa and Zimbabwe Tri-series (in Zimbabwe in August). 

"Smaller squads from this group will be selected for the four-day and limited-overs components of the series providing an excellent opportunity for a number of players to compete against quality opposition. 

"The (panel) is especially keen for the potential future international all-rounders, James Faulkner, Moises Henriques and Mitchell Marsh to have this opportunity to develop further and enhance their claims."

The notion that the Australia A squad is essentially a Test second XI is effectively quashed by the inclusion of emerging wicketkeeper-batsmen Sam Whiteman and Peter Nevill ahead of keepers with international experience, Tim Paine and Matthew Wade.

"Sam Whiteman and Peter Nevill have shown excellent recent form with the gloves and the bat and thoroughly deserve the opportunity to impress at this level." Inverarity said.

"Matthew Wade and Tim Paine have had considerable international experience and are well-regarded, known quantities and the (selection panel) is hopeful that this international exposure with Australia A will provide Sam and Peter with invaluable experience."

The same principle has been applied to the selection of spinners Steven O’Keefe and Cameron Boyce on the strength of their 2013-14 Shield returns, while exciting young legspinner James Muirhead was previously named in the National Performance Squad for the winter series.

Quick Single: National Performance squad announced

O'Keefe topped the Sheffield Shield bowling aggregate and averages with 41 wickets at less than 21 per wicket, while Boyce impressed by capturing 26 wickets with his leg-breaks. 

Veteran Victorian all-rounder Cameron White has also been named as a spin option.

Incumbent Test number three Alex Doolan will be given a chance to tighten his grip on that berth, while one of his main challengers Phil Hughes is also in the provisional squad along with heavy-scoring Shield batsmen Tom Cooper, Chris Lynn, Peter Forrest and Callum Ferguson. 

While the batting places are filled by those who earned their berth over the previous summer, the fast bowling ranks include a number of players who are have been in the frame for national selection but whose progress was halted by injury.

Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will continue their rehabilitation under the watchful eye of the squad's assistant coach, Test bowler Ryan Harris,  if they are cleared to take part.

Quick Single: Harris appointed to coaching role

Chadd Sayers' performances for South Australia over the past two seasons have been recognised, while the talent and promise of Jason Behrendorff  is underscored by the fact he has been named in both the Australia A and National Performance Squad.

"Kane Richardson and Ben Cutting have established themselves as white ball prospects and will be looking to enhance their claims for selection in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup squad," Inverarity said.

The preliminary squad is: Jason Behrendorff (WA), Cameron Boyce (QLD), Tom Cooper (SA), Pat Cummins (NSW), Ben Cutting (QLD), Alex Doolan (TAS), James Faulkner (TAS), Callum Ferguson (SA), Peter Forrest (QLD), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Moises Henriques (NSW), Phillip Hughes (SA), Chris Lynn (QLD), Mitchell Marsh (WA), Peter Nevill (NSW), Steve O’Keefe (NSW), Kane Richardson (SA), Chadd Sayers (SA), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Cameron White (VIC), Sam Whiteman (WA).

The 2014 Australia A series schedule is:

Four-day matches (Brisbane)

July 6-9: Australia A v India A (Allan Border Field)

July 13-16: Australia A v India A (Allan Border Field)

Quadrangular One-Day Series, Darwin

July 20: Australia A v India A (Marrara); Sth Africa A v National Performance Squad (Northline)

July 22: Aust A v National Performance Squad (Marrara); India A v Sth Africa A (Gardens Oval)

July 24: Australia A v Sth Africa A (Northline); India A v National Performance Squad (Gardens Oval)

July 26: National Performance Squad v Aust A (Marrara); Sth Africa A v India A (Gardens Oval)

July 29: Australia A v Sth Africa A (Marrara); National Performance Squad v India A (Northline)

July 31: Australia A v India A (Marrara); National Performance Squad v Sth Africa A (Gardens Oval)

Aug 2: Finals – 1 v 2 (Marrara); 3 v 4 (Gardens Oval)

Four-Day Series (Townsville)

Aug 7-10: Australia A v Sth Africa A (Tony Ireland Stadium)

Aug 14-17: Australia A v Sth Africa A (Tony Ireland Stadium)