Test bats to lead CA XI under lights

Recalled Queensland batsman Joe Burns will lead a star-studded Cricket Australia XI side to face Sri Lanka in a day-night tour match in Hobart next week.

Burns is one of four players in the CA XI that has also been named in the Test squad for the two-match Domain Test series against Sri Lanka, joining Bulls teammates Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne and young gun Will Pucovski.

CA XI to face Sri Lanka: Joe Burns (c), Kurtis Patterson (vc), Scott Boland, Jake Doran (wk), Jon Holland, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, Matt Renshaw, Chris Tremain

Seven players in the XI boast international experience, including the entire bowling attack of left-arm spinner Jon Holland and pace trio Scott Boland, Chris Tremain and Michael Neser.

The match represents a vital chance for those in the Test squad to spend some valuable time in the middle against the pink ball ahead of the day-night first Test at the Gabba from January 24, while those on the cusp of a national call-up can push their claims for higher honours with an Ashes series in England this year.

"For this match, our focus has been on ensuring newcomers selected in the Test squad have ample batting preparation ahead of the Brisbane Test," said national selector Trevor Hohns.

"Scott Boland, Chris Tremain and Michael Neser have all had very good first-class seasons and are knocking on the door for Australian selection."

Boland and Tremain are the two leading wicket-takers in the JLT Sheffield Shield this summer having taken 36 and 28 wickets respectively. 

Holland's selection reinforces the belief he is the No.2 Test spinner in the country, behind veteran Nathan Lyon. The left-armer was the second spinner for Australia in the two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE last October, where he captured four wickets in the 1-0 series loss.

Patterson, the team's vice-captain, scored a drought-breaking century for NSW against Western Australia in November and enters the match with 428 Shield runs at 47.55 under his belt.

Joining Patterson is Blues teammate Jason Sangha, the 19-year-old who scored his maiden Shield century this summer, a sparkling 117 against Tasmania at the SCG. 

Tasmania's Jake Doran will take the gloves on his home turf. 

The three-day, pink ball match will be held at Blundstone Arena from January 17-19.

Domain Test Series v Sri Lanka

Australia: Tim Paine (c/wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha

CA XI: Joe Burns (c), Kurtis Patterson (vc), Scott Boland, Jake Doran (wk), Jon Holland, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, Matt Renshaw, Chris Tremain

Jan 17-19: Tour match, CA XI v SL, Hobart (D/N)

Jan 24-28: First Test, Gabba (D/N)

Feb 1-5: Second Test, Canberra