Squads named for Australia A

Boom allrounder James Faulkner has been named Australia A captain for the two four-day series against India A and South Africa A in July and August. 

The National Selection Panel announced the three Australia A squads that will play in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville, with Faulkner leading the multi-day sides and Cameron White the one-day squad.

“James is a young man with plenty of character and possesses a great desire to win,” said chairman of selectors Rod Marsh.

“He is still developing as an allrounder but we believe this captaincy provides him an opportunity to do that as well as develop his leadership skills.

“Cam White has been selected as captain of the one-day team for the quad series in Darwin. 

“Cam White is a very good captain with loads of experience and will set a fine leadership example to the younger players.”

Phil Hughes, Moises Henriques, Ben Cutting, Josh Hazlewood and Chris Lynn feature in all three squads, giving them maximum exposure against hardened opposition ahead of Australia’s one-day international tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabwe in late August.

Bupa Sheffield Shield finalists Jason Behrendorff and Steve O’Keefe have been selected subject to fitness, with two handy replacements waiting in the wings.

“Both Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are on stand-by for these series and may well play in some matches over this period as part of their build-up to our upcoming overseas tours,” said Marsh.

Alex Doolan, Peter Forrest and Callum Ferguson will provide the bulk of the middle order, while Mitchell Marsh returns to the Australian set up for the first time in 12 months after the ICC Champions Trophy in England. 

There was no room for New South Wales Blues opening batsman Nic Maddinson, the left-hander returning home from the Indian Premier League after suffering a broken finger training with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

West End Redbacks seamer Chadd Sayers has again been rewarded for consistent performances in first-class cricket, selected in both four-day squads with fellow fast bowlers Kane Richardson, Hazlewood, Cutting and Behrendorff.

Pat Cummins continues his slow integration back into professional cricket, picked for the one-day series along with Australia’s top-ranked ODI bowler Clint McKay.

Peter Nevill and 22-year-old Sam Whiteman will be the glovemen across the three series, standing up to XXXX Gold Queensland Bulls leg-spinner and Cameron Boyce and O’Keefe as the only specialist spinners selected.

Australia A take on India A in two four day matches from 6-17 July in Brisbane, then head Darwin for the one-day series from 19 July – 2 August before concluding with two four-day matches against South Africa A in Townsville from 7-17 August.