Ashes warm-up dates confirmed for 'A' tour

A comprehensive eight-game Australia A tour of the UK - including an Australia v Australia A four-day game - will support the country's World Cup campaign and provide a pivotal selection battleground for the looming Ashes campaign.

Australia will seek an unprecedented sixth 50-over World Cup title in the tournament that culminates with a July 14 final at Lord's in London before the first of five Ashes Tests begins at Edgbaston on August 1.

With all eyes on the United Kingdom for these two major campaigns, the Australia A tour will form a crucial backdrop with a series of 50-over matches in conjunction with the World Cup before focus switches to a series of four-day games that will be pivotal in determining selection for the Ashes Tests.

As announced in November, the last of those matches is a mouthwatering clash between the 'A' team and Australia's Test squad in Southampton.

The World Cup commences on May 30, with Australia's first match on June 1 against Afghanistan in Bristol.

The Australia A squad will assemble in Northampton on June 16 ahead of the first of five 50-over matches against County opposition, starting with the game against Northamptonshire on June 20.

Further 50-over matches will be played against Derbyshire (June 23), Worcestershire (June 25) and Gloucestershire (June 30 and July 2).

The 50-over leg of the 'A' tour will wrap up with Australia's World Cup squad still to play one final group game before that tournament's finals series, giving the senior Australia squad ready-made and in-form back-up options available should they be required.

Australia A then switch to red-ball cricket with the first of three four-day matches starting on July 7. First-class status has not been confirmed for these matches, but they are expected to be awarded that status, underlining the importance the 'A' tour has for Ashes preparations.

The four-day format begins with a clash with second-division side Sussex (July 7-10) and the England Lions (July 14-17), before the highly-anticipated match between Australia and the 'A' side running from July 23-26 at the Rose Bowl.

NSW batsman Kurtis Patterson was a late addition to Australia's Test side for the Gabba victory against Sri Lanka after he impressed with twin centuries against the touring side in their warm-up match playing for a Cricket Australia XI that was effectively an Australia A side of players pushing for Test honours.

Australia coach Justin Langer has already indicated that the Ashes squad is unlikely to be chosen until late in the 'A' tour, meaning the matches against the England county sides could prove quite crucial to those chasing a berth in Australia's XI for the first Test.

"We probably won’t pick the final Ashes squad until quite late," Langer said.

"I hope I’m not talking out of school with the other selectors, but I can’t see us picking the Ashes (squad) before the Australia A tour, for example.

"It would be really good opportunities for the guys who are picked for Australia A, while the World Cup is on, to put their hand up."

The likes of Tim Paine, Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris are currently not part of Australia’s one-day setup and may not feature during their World Cup campaign, meaning the 'A' tour could be used to provide these players with some vital match practice ahead of the Ashes series.

Likewise, bowlers such as Jackson Bird, Dan Worrall, Chris Tremain, Scott Boland and Chadd Sayers could form a formidable Australia A attack incentivised to push for spots to back up the front-line pace bowlers.

A host of other Ashes hopefuls are already planning on being in England in the lead-up to the Ashes, with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh already committed to English county sides.

Renshaw has also indicated that he is chasing a county deal this year.

Tour games, especially the quality of opposition and venues, have been a concern in recent times. The International Cricket Council issued a plea last year asking host boards to provide better treatment of visiting teams.

Australia have in the past been unhappy at the quality of opposition provided, and pitches prepared, for their matches on overseas tours, such as facing a seam-heavy attack on a fast-bowler friendly pitch in Sri Lanka in 2016.

Worcestershire will host Australia in a three-day fixture beginning on August 7, which falls between the first and second Ashes Tests. That match will clash with the county's matches in England's domestic T20 competition and Australia could expect to face a second XI side in that match.

Derbyshire will host the Australians in a three-day game that is slated to start on August 29, between the third and fourth Tests.

Australia A Tour of the UK 2019

June 20 v Northamptonshire, Northants County Ground 

June 23 v Derbyshire, Derby

June 25 v Worcestershire, New Road 

June 30 v Gloucestershire, Bristol 

July 2 v Gloucestershire, Bristol 

July 7-10 v Sussex, Arundel 

July 14-17 v England Lions, Canterbury 

July 23-26 v Australia, Rose Bowl

Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK 2019

First Test: August 1-5 at Edgbaston, Birmingham 

Tour match: Australia v Worcester, August 7-9 

Second Test: August 14-18 at Lord's, London 

Third Test: August 22-26 at Headingley, Leeds 

Tour match: Australia v Derbyshire, August 29-31 

Fourth Test: September 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester 

Fifth Test: September 12-16 at The Oval, London