Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named a 14-player Australia A squad to play New Zealand A in two four day matches in New Zealand next month.
The side includes current Test player Peter Handscomb and squad members Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson with a mix of senior and developing young players.
The squad will play New Zealand A in Lincoln in New Zealand’s Canterbury region with the Dukes ball and in conditions designed to replicate those found in England.
Australia will then host New Zealand for two four-day matches and three one-day games in Brisbane later this year.
Australia A:
Wes Agar (SA/Northern Districts CC)
Xavier Bartlett (QLD/Gold Coast CC)
Aaron Hardie (WA/Willeton CC)
Peter Handscomb (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Spencer Johnson (SA/West Torrens CC)
Campbell Kellaway (VIC/Melbourne CC)
Nathan McSweeney (SA/Glenelg CC)
Joel Paris (WA/Claremont-Nedlands CC)
Mitch Perry (VIC/Richmond CC)
Jimmy Pierson (QLD/Redlands CC)
Matthew Renshaw (QLD/ Toombul District CC)
Mitchell Swepson (QLD/ Sandgate-Redcliffe Cricket Club)
Tim Ward (TAS/University of Tasmania CC)
Teague Wyllie (WA/ Rockingham-Mandurah CC)
NSP Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “The squad contains some experienced, strong performers in state cricket, along with several emerging players we believe have exciting futures ahead of them.
“We are committed to the continued expansion of the Australia A program and these games are specifically designed to expose these players to conditions they may not experience in Australia.
“With an Ashes this winter and a tour of New Zealand early next year, this is a great opportunity for this group to perform in similar environments to those countries.
“Having Pete Handsomb, Matt Renshaw, Mitch Swepson and Jimmy Peirson will add experience as senior players who can impart their knowledge of different conditions.”
Nine of the 14 players are under the age of 26. Players with upcoming County Cricket deals were not considered for selection as they will already be subject to English conditions prior to the Ashes.
