Australia’s next generation of cricketers will head to India next month after Cricket Australia named a 16-player Under-19 men’s squad for a month-long multi-format tour.
The tour will see Australia play three one-day matches and two four-day matches against India Under-19 in Rajkot and Ahmedabad between 13 September and 9 October, providing the country’s leading young players with an opportunity to test themselves in subcontinental conditions.
The squad has been selected by Cricket Australia’s Youth National Selection Panel and includes players from six states, with Queensland contributing six representatives, Victoria three, New South Wales four, South Australia two, Western Australia two and Tasmania one.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Tim Nielsen will coach the side, continuing his role in Cricket Australia’s youth development program while also overseeing the Cricket Australia XI during the current series against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Cricket Australia Head of National Development Sonya Thompson said the tour was an important step in the players’ progression.
“We are really pleased to provide the opportunity to some of Australia’s best young players to continue their development as part of our pathways program,” Thompson said.
She said touring India would expose the squad to demanding conditions and quality opposition. “Touring India and playing against high-quality opposition in challenging conditions will be a valuable experience and test the players technically and mentally across formats.”
Thompson also welcomed Nielsen’s appointment, saying, “We are also delighted to have Tim Nielsen leading the program. He brings a wealth of coaching experience and has a deep understanding of player development.”
Victoria’s representatives are Jack Czosnek (Richmond), Jacob Pietz (Camberwell Magpies) and Patrick Sullivan (Geelong), while New South Wales is represented by Will Byrom, Blake Cattle, Neel Patel and Kasey Barton, who plays club cricket for Mosman despite representing Tasmania.
The squad also includes Hayden Barbulovic and Connor Gregory from South Australia, Zed Hollick and Matthew Lough from Western Australia, and Queensland players Eli Brain, Spencer Green, Charlie Henderson, Theo Tsingos and Thomas Vaseo.
The series forms part of Cricket Australia’s high-performance pathway, with overseas tours regarded as an important stage in preparing players for senior domestic and international cricket.
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