The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced the Australia one-day squad for the VB Tour of The British Isles in June and July, and the Australia A squad for the VB Tour of England in July and August this year.
| Australia ODI Squad | Australia A Squad |
| Michael Clarke (c) NSW 31 Shane Watson (vc) NSW 30 George Bailey TAS 29 Patrick Cummins NSW 19 Xavier Doherty TAS 29 Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 29 Mike Hussey WA 36 David Hussey VIC 34 Mitchell Johnson WA 30 Brett Lee NSW 35 Clint McKay VIC 29 James Pattinson VIC 22 Steve Smith NSW 22 Matthew Wade VIC 24 David Warner NSW 25 |
Ed Cowan (c) TAS 29 Peter Forrest (vc) QLD 26 George Bailey TAS 29 Jackson Bird TAS 25 Joe Burns QLD 22 Tom Cooper SA 25 Patrick Cummins NSW 19 Ben Cutting QLD 25 Liam Davis WA 27 Jon Holland VIC 24 Mitchell Johnson WA 30 Michael Klinger SA 31 Nathan Lyon SA 24 Tim Paine TAS 27 James Pattinson VIC 22 Steve Smith NSW 22 Mitchell Starc NSW 22 |
Commenting on the ODI squad, National Selector John Inverarity said: “We will have to be at the top of our game to go to England and beat them on their home soil but we’ve selected a strong squad and believe we have the ability to win this one-day series.
“Steve Smith has been rewarded for his late season form. He has come into strong contention for the Australian ICC World Twenty20 squad to be named in August and the NSP is keen to have him in the set-up in England as the reserve batsman, noting that his leg-spinners would provide good variation to our attack.
“Mitchell Johnson has also been included in this ODI squad. He, also, is in strong contention for the ICC World Twenty20 and needs to be in the set-up and have some quality competitive cricket leading into this. The NSP is looking forward to Mitchell being reinvigorated after being out of the game for six months.
“We are also excited about the return of Pat Cummins and we are looking to ease him back into the team. He will not be expected to play in all of the eight scheduled games.
“Peter Forrest, Mitchell Starc, Dan Christian, Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included in this squad. During the Australian summer and in the West Indies, Peter Forrest and Mitchell Starc were two young players who grasped their opportunities and acquitted themselves well and enhanced their reputations. However, they have made way in this squad for Steve Smith and Pat Cummins.
“In February and March, Dan Christian showed what a very useful and good all-rounder he is, making some strong contributions. He has been omitted to make way for Mitchell Johnson, but remains very much in our plans for the ICC World Twenty20 and a distinct possibility for the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan in August/September.
“Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included as Xavier Doherty has been preferred as the only spinner and Matthew Wade is the only ‘keeper. It is a great deal easier getting replacements to England than to the West Indies and both Nathan and Peter will be on standby should they be required,” Inverarity said.
Commenting on the Australia A squad, Inverarity said: “The Australia A Squad has been difficult to finalise. While there is a busy schedule of cricket ahead, it cannot be known in advance which of the 15 players in the ODI Squad for England and Ireland will have heavy loads and those who will not and would therefore benefit from playing some games on the Australia A tour. Also, there is an ICC World Twenty20 preparation camp in Australia in August. Those on the Australia A tour who are selected for the ICC World Twenty20 (and the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan immediately before this) will have to leave the A tour after one or two of the scheduled four games. Hence there will be a need for replacements and a degree of flexibility.
“The Australia A Squad has been selected with two factors very much in mind. The first is that good performances in the Australian summer have been recognised and rewarded, while keeping an ever open eye for younger players coming through. The second is a focus on the Ashes tour of 2013 and familiarising a number of our less experienced international players and back-up players with English conditions. The NSP has also been mindful of not overloading some players, not least David Warner and Matthew Wade. David Hussey has had considerable exposure to English grounds and conditions. These three were not considered for this A tour as they will have had plenty of cricket.
“The NSP is keen to accelerate the return to form of Tim Paine. Tim was impressive when he represented Australia in the various formats and he is recovering well from his injury. Michael Klinger’s sustained good performances over a number of seasons has been recognised and rewarded and he will open the innings with Ed Cowan. Jon Holland has been included as a promising young spin bowler as we attempt to expand our spin bowling stocks.
“Joe Burns is a young player who has shown consistency and all-round batsmanship and it is anticipated that this tour to England will provide for him some very valuable experience. Another to come on the scene recently is Jackson Bird, who bowled exceptionally well for Tasmania last summer. It is likely that he will be well suited to English conditions. The NSP also regards Liam Davis and Tom Cooper as exciting cricketers who deserve opportunities to impress at this level. The NSP is pleased to note that Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja will have extended periods in the English County set-up, together with other more established players. Mitchell Starc will have a stint with Yorkshire and this will give him further valuable experience.”
(Information Source: www.cricket.com.au)