Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Inglis to lead a strong PM’s XI squad
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) have named the men’s squad for the Prime Minister’s XI match against the West Indies in Canberra.
Western Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will captain a strong squad which features seven players with international experience.
The Prime Minister and the NSP have rewarded early season form in the 2022-23 Marsh Sheffield Shield by selecting a side which includes the top performers from the first three rounds of the competition.
Victorian pair Peter Handscomb (518) and Marcus Harris (287) are the top two run scorers in the Marsh Sheffield Shield, while Queensland quicks Mark Steketee and Michael Neser have taken a combined 32 wickets.
The squad maintains close ties to ACT cricket through Henry Hunt and assistant coach Jono Dean. Hunt has previously represented Queanbeyan District in premier cricket and played for the ACT/NSW Country Comets in the 2014-15 Futures League.
The playing squad will be supported throughout the match by local ACT premier cricketers who will have the opportunity to train alongside and brush shoulders with the best domestic talent in Australia.
The four-day, day/night fixture against the West Indies begins on Wednesday, 23 November at Manuka Oval.
The Prime Minister’s XI squad to play the West Indies:
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club) (C)
Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club)
Peter Handscomb (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Aaron Hardie (WA/Willeton Cricket Club)
Marcus Harris (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Henry Hunt (SA/Kensington Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Michael Neser (QLD/Gold Coast District Cricket Club)
Matt Renshaw (QLD/Toombul District Cricket Club
Mark Steketee (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese:
“The Prime Minister’s XI has a rich history within Australian Cricket and I am delighted to confirm the squad as we celebrate its 70th year.
“Following an engaging selection meeting with George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, we have agreed on a squad that mixes the country’s most exciting young cricketers with some highly experienced players.
“I want to thank Josh Inglis for taking on the role of captain and look forward to watching him lead a side which will compete strongly while remaining true to the traditions and values of the Prime Minister’s XI.”
Quotes attributable to NSP Chair of Selectors George Bailey:
“It’s a very strong squad for this match consisting of our leading first class performers and, for many of the players, offers further exposure to an international side after touring Sri Lanka earlier this year.
“It’s an exciting game for them to continue the traditions of the Prime Minister’s XI which is a great honour for any cricketer. It will be an historic contest also considering the very first Prime Minister’s XI match was against the West Indies 70 years ago.
“We thank Prime Minister Albanese for his input into the squad which he agrees is in line with the traditions of the match with some of the country’s most exciting young cricketers mixed with some highly experienced players.”
Tickets to the Prime Minister’s XI match are on sale now and available here.
The match will be broadcast live via FOX Cricket, Kayo Sports and ABC Sport and live-streamed by cricket.com.au and the CA Live App.
