Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed the inclusion of India A in the upcoming quadrangular ‘A’ Series that will also feature South Africa A, Australia A and CA’s National Performance Squad. The four teams are set to play 18 matches in total, comprising 30 days of cricket played across Brisbane, Mackay and Townsville. After the conclusion of their limited-over assignment, the India A side is then scheduled to face the Australia A team in two unofficial four-day test matches.
CA's General Manager of Team Performance, Pat Howard said that with the India A team coming into the folds, the sub-continental team will add a competitive edge to the series. He admitted that the presence of high-quality oppositions will be crucial for "developing and growing the depth of talent in our pathways". It will further help in building the experience of young players.
“This is an important series for developing and growing the depth of talent in our pathways. Players in the Australia A and National Performance Squad have been identified as having the potential to play for their country and the national selectors will be watching this series with interest.
“India and South Africa are strong competitors with wide-ranging skills to challenge our players and build their experience against high-quality opposition,” Howard said.
The right-handed Australian fast bowler, Pat Cummins, will be making a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff while other highlights of the Australian team will be Chris Lynn and Travis Head. Some of Australia’s most talented and emerging young players, including the son of the National coach Darren Lehmann, Jake Lehmann, will also get a chance to showcase their skills.
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India A will also boast a wealth of talent and the Indian selectors have hinted Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer can make the cut for the team. Regulars like Unmukt Chand, Mayank Agarwal and Naman Ojha are also likely to board the flight to Australia. Some players like Krunal Pandya and Murugan Ashwin might also get their maiden India A call-up for their consistent performances during the recently concluded Indian Premiere League.
Australia ‘A’ travelled to India last year for two unofficial test matches and a 50-over triangular series, which also featured South Africa A. Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja produced standout performances on that tour and have enjoyed success in international cricket since then. Australia A reached the final of the one-day tri-series but lost to India A while the South African side was unable to register a single win on the tour.
The quadrangular series is scheduled to be played in the month of August followed by two test matches during September between India A and Australia A.
Schedule for quadrangular one-day series is as follows:
August 13: South Africa A v NPS, Townsville
August 14: Australia A v India A, Townsville
August 16: Australia A v NPS, Townsville
August 17: South Africa A v India A, Townsville
August 20: Australia A v South Africa A, Townsville
August 21: India A v NPS, Townsville
August 24: NPS v Australia A, Mackay
August 25: South Africa A v India A, Mackay
August 27: NPS v India A, Mackay
August 28: Australia A v South Africa A, Mackay
August 30: Australia A v India A, Mackay
August 31: South Africa A v NPS, Mackay
September 3: Final 3 v 4, Mackay
September 4: Final 1 v 2, Mackay
Schedule for four-day matches is as follows:
September 8-11: Australia A v India A, Brisbane
September 15-18: Australia A v India A, Brisbane.
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