Cricket Australia has selected Glenn Maxwell and Usman Khawaja in a four-day Australia A squad, set for a July tour to South Africa.
Selectors opted for a balance between youth and experience for their two 14-man squads, with Khawaja skippering and Maxwell vice-captaining the four-day side. 23-year-old Travis Head has been selected for both the four-day and one-day encounters and has been handed the reins for the one-day matches.
‘We have opted for a well-balanced squad featuring some experience, blended with younger players, with an emphasis on building our depth for the future,’ said national selector Trevor Hohns.
‘This is a great chance for these players to experience foreign conditions against quality international sides and really test their skills.
‘With an upcoming Test series in South Africa early next year, it is also an opportunity to impress with their performances and put their names forward for consideration.
‘Khawaja is a proven leader and has captained Australia A before, he will gel nicely with Glenn, who recently had some captaincy experience in the IPL, and we believe will respond well to this extra responsibility.
‘Travis is a capable young leader and he will benefit from the opportunity at this level,’ he continued.
‘There were some senior players that missed out on an opportunity this time round, but this will certainly not detract from their chances of representing Australia in the future.’
Speaking on the MOU negotiation, Cricket Australia executive general manager of team performance, Pat Howard, said:
‘Selectors have chosen this squad, irrespective and independent of the status of the MOU. We are confident that there will be a resolution in place by 30 June and look forward to continuing to support these players to perform at their very best on the global stage.’
The team will play two four-day matches against South Africa A, before participating in a one-day Tri-Series with South Africa A and India A.
The squad will depart for South Africa on 8 July.
Four-day squad: Usman Khawaja (C) (QLD), Glenn Maxwell (V-C) (VIC), Ashton Agar (WA), Cameron Bancroft (WA), Jason Behrendorff (WA), Jackson Bird (TAS), Alex, Carey (SA), Hilton Cartwright (WA), Travis Head (SA), Kurtis Patterson (NSW), Chadd Sayers (SA), Mitchell Swepson (QLD), Chris Tremain (VIC), Jack Wildermuth (QLD)
One-day squad: Travis Head (C) (SA), Ashton Agar (WA), Jason Behrendorff (WA), Scott Boland (VIC), Alex Carey (SA), Hilton Cartwright (WA), Sam Heazlett (QLD), Moises Henriques (NSW), Daniel Hughes (NSW), Kane Richardson (SA), Marcus Stoinis (VIC), Mitchell Swepson (QLD), Chris Tremain (VIC), Jack Wildermuth (QLD)
