Australia A tour of Africa

JGK wrote:A 15-man Australia A squad for the upcoming Tour of Africa in July and August has been announced.

The squad is:

Steve Smith (c)
Aaron Finch (vc)
Ashton Agar
Fawad Ahmed
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Alex Doolan
Josh Hazlewood
Moises Henriques
Nic Maddinson
Mitchell Marsh
Shaun Marsh
Glenn Maxwell
Tim Paine
Gurinder Sandhu
Chadd Sayers
Pat Cummins (NSW) will travel with the squad as a development player

National Selector John Inverarity made the following statement:

“This is a young squad with an abundance of talent and all players will be pressing for higher honours.”

“Three players are from the ICC Champions Trophy Squad, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Coulter-Nile; seven from the current Australia A Squad in the UK, Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Doolan, Moises Henriques, Chadd Sayers, Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith.

“Shaun Marsh is being provided with another opportunity and we are looking forward to his undoubted talent coming to the fore. It will be a very good opportunity for him as it will be for Aaron Finch who did so well against the England Lions in February.

“Twenty-year-old opening bowler Gurinder Sandhu was most impressive at the end of the Australian summer and deserves this recognition. Josh Hazlewood is a fine prospect and a thorough off-season preparation should see him at his best in South Africa.

“Tim Paine is an experienced and most accomplished cricketer and will be the squad’s wicketkeeper.

“Steve Smith has been appointed captain and should gain a great deal of leadership experience from the tour.

“Should replacements be required for the Ashes tour these players will be playing in a similar time-zone from during this time.

“Pat Cummins will accompany the squad as a development player. He is in a similar situation currently with the Australia A Squad in the UK. His carefully planned rehabilitation is progressing very well and he will play in a couple of very low intensity games in Ireland this week. There is a possibility he could play towards the backend of the tour to South Africa also.”

Match Schedule

Three/Four-Day Matches
18-20 July – 3-Day match v Zimbabwe, Harare
24-27 July – 4-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
31 July – 3 August – 4-Day match v South Africa A, Rustenburg
One-Day Tri-Series
6 August – 1-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
8 August – 1-Day match v India A, Pretoria
10 August – 1-Day match v South Africa A, Pretoria
11 August – 1-Day match v India A, Pretoria
14 August – 1-Day Final, Pretoria

skully wrote:I see ... Chad Sayers continues to impress ...

JGK wrote:Meanwhile, Aust A are all out for 111 in the second dig having rolled Gloucs for 120 odd. 
Usual suspects failed (Ussie, Hughes, Smith)

Dolly took a Michelle.

Jaquline Bird was outbowled by the little-known Sayers too. This is just unbelievable that they can't even win here.

lardbucket wrote:

So a Gloucs side missing Marshall, Payne, Miles, Young, Taylor, A.Gidman and others are in a position to beat an Australian side containing guaranteed Test starters in Wade, Hughes, Bird, Harris and Ahmed. WOW! If it stays rain-free 10-0 is guaranteed! Australia are going to have to produce some utter roads in Australia and Kookaburra balls with no movement at all!

Big Dog wrote:Are Gloucester supporters usually this ignorant?

lardbucket wrote:Nath - you realises I'm just quoting some rabid Gloucester supporter who crowed those gleeful gloatings on the Cricinfo site?

WideWally wrote:I hope that Gloucestershire don't collapse in a heap today. That supporter will feel like a goose.

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