Marsh, Head to lead Australia A teams in India

Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday announced two 14-player squads to represent Australia A in one-day and four-day matches on a tour of India in August and September with Mitch Marsh and Travis Head named as captains.

The squad will play a one-day tri-series against India A and South Africa A in Vijayawada – with two matches against each opponent, plus a final – followed by two four-day matches against India A in Vizag.

South Australia’s Head will captain the one-day team, while Western Australia’s Marsh will lead the four-day side. South Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey will be vice-captain for both squads.

The squads boast a wealth of players with international experience in at least one format for Australia, with just six players – Queensland’s Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jack Wildermuth, Brendan Doggett and Mitch Swepson, plus New South Wales’ Kurtis Patterson – yet to play for the Aussies.

Speaking on the appointment of captains Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, and vice-captain Alex Carey, Hohns said: “We’re looking for leaders for future Australian teams, and Travis, Mitch and Alex are all very impressive young men.

“Travis and Mitch both have captaincy experience at state level, and this is an exciting opportunity for them to lead a new group of players in different conditions.

“Alex, as our Twenty20 vice-captain in the UK and Zimbabwe, is also someone we rate very highly as a leader, and this is another opportunity for him to develop those skills.”

Only two players selected have yet to feature in either an Australia or Australia A squad – fast bowler Brendan Doggett and batsman Marnus Labuschagne, both from Queensland.

Hohns added: “Marnus and Brendan both came through the National Performance Squad program last year, and performed strongly for Queensland last summer.

“Brendan is an exciting fast bowler with genuine pace, who has impressed with his wicket-taking ability in the Sheffield Shield.

“Marnus has put together some really good performances with the bat over the past 12 months, particularly at one-day level.”

Australia A four-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain, Jack Wildermuth

Australia tour to India schedule

One-Day fixtures – Vijayawada

17 August v India A

19 August v South Africa A

23 August v India A

25 August v South Africa A

29 August – Tri-Series Final

Four-Day fixtures – Vizag

2 – 5 September v India A

8 – 11 September v India A

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