CAMERON White will captain the Australia A team, with Tim Paine as his vice, in the tour match against England in Hobart from November 17 to 20.
The average age of the Australia A squad is 24 and National Selection Panel chairman Andrew Hilditch is looking forward to seeing how they fare against England in what will be the tourists’ last competitive warm-up match before the Ashes series begins in Brisbane on November 25.
He said: “The NSP has picked a squad full of some of the best young talent in Australia. This is an exciting opportunity for these players to play against a highly talented English team on the eve of the Vodafone Ashes series.”
He added: “We have seen quite a few of these players already in or around the Australian team set-up across the various formats and this challenge will provide them all with another good opportunity to show what they can do.
“Cameron White is a talented player and a good leader and along with Tim Paine they both have a lot of experience and will provide the group with strong leadership.”
He continued: “Every player in the batting line-up is capable of forcing his way into the Australian side this summer.
“Phil Hughes and Paine have already shown what they are capable of in Test cricket and Shaun Marsh, Callum Ferguson, and Steve Smith have already played some outstanding cricket for Australia in the limited-over formats.
“Usman Khawaja is yet to play for Australia but has again started the season in impressive fashion and it will be great to see him play against strong opposition.
“The fast bowling of Mitchell Starc was very impressive at the Gabba a few nights ago, Peter George played very well in his one Test in India and Mark Cameron has returned strongly from injury and has been performing well for NSW so we are keen to see what he can do on a big stage.
“Stephen O’Keefe has had some limited opportunities in Australian limited overs squads, played very well for Australia A in the off-season against Sri Lanka A and has continued that good form with a strong start to the season for New South Wales and he richly deserves this opportunity.”
Australia A: Cameron White (captain), Tim Paine (vice-captain), Mark Cameron, Callum Ferguson, Peter George, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh (subject to fitness), Steve O’Keefe, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc. (Cricinfo)