WA’s Cam Bancroft will get a crucial opportunity to audition for the Test squad in a virtual bat-off alongside Marcus Harris and teenage sensation Sam Konstas.
Selectors have named an Australia A squad for a two-match first-class series against India A with WA off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli handed his first opportunity at that level.
But all eyes will be on the bat-off for Test spots with the squad named just hours after it was confirmed Cam Green will have surgery and is ruled out for the summer.
A one-day international squad for a series against Pakistan next month has also been confirmed.
West Aussie Mitch Marsh will sit out that series for the birth of his first child, but Cooper Connolly has retained his place in the side that toured the United Kingdom.
All-rounders Michael Neser and Beau Webster will be given a chance to impress selectors in the A series as a significant call looms over the team balance of the Test side for the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy series against India this summer.
South Australian batter Nathan McSweeney and Konstas, who became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score twin Sheffield Shield centuries last week, have been named with Bancroft, Josh Philippe, Ollie Davies and Connolly.
But their was no room for WA red-ball captain Sam Whiteman, despite two dominant seasons at domestic level and a century against Queensland last week.
Bancroft, who is pushing a for a recall to the Test side for the first time since 2019, is fresh off a rare pair in the draw with the Bulls but has been backed to quickly return to form.
“As always with Australia A selection we have picked a side we hope can present performances which are compelling for the upcoming Test summer, whilst also rewarding players for strong domestic form in roles we see as being important further afield,” selection panel chair George Bailey said.
Australia A will meet India A in Mackay from October 31 and at the MCG a week later.
Australia will roll out a full-strength bowling attack in the ODI series against Pakistan, their final hit-out in the format before next year’s Champions Trophy.
Pat Cummins will captain the side, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also named. Sean Abbott is the back-up quick.
Alex Carey has missed the squad, guaranteeing Josh Inglis a role with the gloves, despite the pair playing alongside each other in England last month.
Excitement machine Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included.
Australia one-day international squad v Pakistan
Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Australia A squad v India A
Nathan McSweeney, Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster
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