Abbott and NPS ready to heat up the winter

Sean Abbott insists the National Performance Squad will "shake up" their more seasoned opposition as the Quadrangular 'A' Series begins today in North Queensland.

Abbott captains the NPS, made up of the best and brightest young cricketing talent on the level below Australia A, in today's opening match against South Africa A in Townsville, live streamed free on cricket.com.au.

It's Abbott's second stint in the NPS after he made a name for himself in a 2014 winter series in Darwin as a young up-and-coming fast-bowler.

And he has first-hand knowledge of the potential to cause upsets, after his three wickets and brutal 33-run cameo helped the 2014 NPS team to a 52-run, bonus-point victory against Australia A in Darwin.

Just a few short months later, Abbott was making his one-day and Twenty20 international debuts for Australia against Pakistan in the UAE, where he made a memorable start to his international career by capturing the wicket of Shahid Afridi in his first over.

Now Abbott, in his first leadership role, is excited to resume the role of underdog against more fancied teams.

"It's a chance to play with no real pressure and be the underdogs, and we (the 2014 NPS team) had the opportunity to knock off and beat some of the teams of guys … that had played a fair bit more cricket than us," Abbott told reporters on match eve.

"It's a great opportunity to kick-start their season at this level and show their skills against some very good players who've had a fair bit more experience.

"We have a very talented group of young players. It won't be matter of skill, but more a matter of backing themselves as a team.

"I think we'll shake up a few teams and think we'll definitely come away with a few wins."

The 24-year-old admitted he "felt old" as captain of a squad with several players still in their teens, and said having the leadership bestowed upon him was initially a shock.

"I didn't think I'd be captain coming into this tournament, I didn't even give it any thought," Abbott said.

"But now that I am, I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's going to give me a bit more responsibility to what I'm doing, it's definitely going to make me keep a bit more of an eye on the game.

"You can't just come off after bowling and wait your turn to bat … I'm looking forward to it."

While the NPS team may be short of experience, they will have plenty of wise heads in the dressing room to draw on, with former England international Graeme Hick the team's head coach.

He’ll be assisted by former Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris, who continues his coaching development following his retirement from playing.

Every match of the winter quadrangular series will be live streamed on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live App.

Winter quadrangular series details

Australia A one-day squad: Chris Lynn (c), Peter Handscomb (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Boyce, Glenn Maxwell, Joe Mennie, Kurtis Patterson, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Tremain, Sam Whiteman, Dan Worrall.

National Performance Squad: Sean Abbott (c, NSW), Hilton Cartwright (WA), Kyle Gardiner (WA), David Grant (SA), Sam Grimwade (Vic), Sam Harper (Vic), Sam Heazlett (Qld), Clint Hinchliffe (WA), Josh Inglis (WA), Caleb Jewell (Tas), David Moody (WA), Arjun Nair (NSW), Tom O'Donnell (Vic), Matthew Renshaw (Qld), Matthew Short (Vic), Mitchell Swepson (Qld).

South Africa A one-day squad: Wayne Parnell (c), Qaasim Adams, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Heino Kuhn, Eddie Leie, Sisanda Magala, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Rilee Rossouw, Malusi Siboto, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Dane Vilas 

India A squad: Naman Ojha (capt), Faiz Fazal, Akhil Herwadkar, Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Varun Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Barinder Sran, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sanju Samson.

Fixtures

13 August, South Africa A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
14 August, Australia A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
16 August, Australia A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
17 August, South Africa A v India A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
20 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
21 August, India A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
24 August, NPS v Australia A, Harrup Park, Mackay
25 August, South Africa A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
27 August, NPS v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
28 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Harrup Park, Mackay
30 August, Australia A v India A, Harrup Park, Mackay
31 August, South Africa A v NPS, Harrup Park, Mackay
3 September; Final 3 v 4, Harrup Park, Mackay
4 September, Final 1 v 2, Harrup Park, Mackay

Tickets

Available at the gate (open from 8.55am). $10 Adult / $5 Concession / Children FREE.

Session Times

All times local. Toss: 9am. First innings: 9.30am - 1pm. Lunch 1pm - 1.45pm. Second innings 1.45pm - 5.15pm.