Australia A will play a one-day tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa A, before finishing with two four-day matches against the hosts. While Zimbabwe Cricket is yet to finalise the playing schedule for the series, Australia A will embark on their African tour on June 25 after a training camp at the Centre of Excellence on June 6.
The NSP has selected two specialist squads for the one-day and four-day sections of the tour. The one-day squad boasts some of Australia’s most exciting young talent, together with several players who have already represented Australia and enjoyed international success. The squad is led by Tim Paine and with his vice-captain Callum Ferguson this presents as a great opportunity for them both to gain leadership experience and we are sure they will both be very successful in these roles, NSP
Chairman Andrew Hilditch said. The batting line-up includes a strong blend of both youth and experience. David Warner, Paine and Ferguson have all had good exposure at the highest level and their experience will be of great benefit to the younger members of the squad such as Nic Maddinson and Chris Lynn who we consider to have the potential to succeed at international level.”
According to Hilditch, Finch, Lyon, Lynn and O’Keefe will make way for Beer, Hughes, Khawaja and Krejza for the longer format matches. The players originally selected in the provisional squad who have missed final selection were George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Peter George, Jon Holland, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Steven Smith and Matthew Wade. Troy Cooley will coach the side while Brian McFadyen will be team manager for the tour.
The last time an Aussie side visited Zimbabwe was in 2008 when a Centre of Excellence Scholarship team toured Africa.
Australia A one-day squad: Tim Paine (capt), Callum Ferguson, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Chris Lynn, Nic Maddinson, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Stephen O’Keefe, David Warner
Four-day squad: Tim Paine (capt), Callum Ferguson, Michael Beer, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza, Nic Maddinson, Phillip Hughes, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, David Warner.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News