Cricket Australia has today announced the 12-player Cricket Australia XI squad to take on India, in a four-day tour match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match, which will be played from November 28 to December 1, will see some of Australia’s emerging players get the chance to take on the world’s number-one ranked Test team ahead of the four-match Domain Test Series between Australia and India.
Western Australia’s Sam Whiteman will lead the side, which features Australian limited-overs representative D’Arcy Short.
Cricket Australia XI squad
Sam Whiteman (C) – Western Australia
Max Bryant – Queensland
Jake Carder – Western Australia
Jackson Coleman – Victoria
Harry Conway – New South Wales
Daniel Fallins – New South Wales
David Grant – South Australia
Aaron Hardie – Western Australia
Jonathan Merlo – Victoria
Harry Nielsen – South Australia
D’Arcy Short – Western Australia
Param Uppal – New South Wales
Coach: Graeme Hick
Assistant Coach: Sriram Sridharan
The team has been selected by the Youth Selection Panel, which is led by ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Selector and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Talent Manager Greg Chappell, in consultation with State and Territory Talent Managers.
Bupa Support Team batting coach Graeme Hick will coach the team, with spin consultant Sriram Sridharan as his assistant.
South Australia’s Harry Nielsen will take wicket-keeping duties, with four members of Australia’s ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup campaign – Victoria’s Jonathan Merlo, New South Wales’ Param Uppal, Queensland’s Max Bryant and Western Australia’s Aaron Hardie – also included in the squad.
“This is an excellent opportunity for these talented players to test themselves against India, the number one Test team in the world,” Chappell said.
“It’s a versatile squad, with a number of players capable of contributing with bat and ball. D’Arcy Short and Param Uppal both offer valuable spin bowling, alongside their batting, with Aaron Hardie and Jonathan Merlo both capable middle-order batsmen who offer a seam-bowling option.
“Many of the players in this squad have previously played in a Cricket Australia XI during their career, and eight have played Sheffield Shield cricket.
“We know this is a chance for our emerging players to display their skills against a world-class opponent, and we look forward to seeing what they can do against India.”
The team is subject to players earning state selection for Round 5 of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition, commencing on 27 November.
