Australia A Squad Announced for India Tour in September

Sydney, Aug 7 (PTI) Australia’s cricket selectors have named Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney as part of the 'A' squad that will tour India in September to play two four-day matches in Lucknow. This move comes in preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy set for 2026-27.

Konstas, who filled in for McSweeney during the last series against India in Australia, has struggled to cement his place at the top order.

His recent performance in the Caribbean was less than impressive despite the team's overall dominance against the West Indies. At just 19, Konstas is the only current Test player included in the 'A' team.

Other capped players in the squad are McSweeney, Cooper Connolly, and spinner Todd Murphy. Murphy, with seven Tests to his name, was part of all four matches during the 2022-23 tour to India, during which Australia lost 1-2.

He took 14 wickets during the series. Australia’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, told cricket.com.au about the tour, saying, “The subcontinent offers many unique challenges, providing opportunities to hone various skills with both bat and ball.”

Bailey added, “We hope the repeated exposure to these conditions will help players develop effective strategies and understand their game for future tours to the subcontinent.”

He further commented on balancing priorities, emphasizing the importance of having players ready for the start of the Sheffield Shield season.

Notably absent from the red-ball squad are Jason Sangha, who recently scored an unbeaten 202 against Sri Lanka A in Darwin, and Matthew Renshaw, who has prior Test experience in India.

Sangha has been included in the one-day squad that will play three matches in Kanpur.

The two four-day matches are scheduled to take place in Lucknow from September 16-19 and September 23-26, while the three one-day matches are set for September 30, October 3, and 5 respectively. (Squads)

Four-Day matches: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Phillippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott.

One-Day squad: Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler.