Australia A squad announced for three-day game

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) has today named an 11-man squad to represent Australia A in a three-day game against India beginning at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Friday 19 December.

The squad is:

* The 12th man, a Tasmanian player, is still be named.

Team management - Bennett King (Coach), Trevor Robertson (Team Manager), Stephen Partridge (Physiotherapist).

Western Australian batsman Michael Hussey will captain the side, which includes representatives from each state, and three Australia A debutants. They are South Australians Paul Rofe and Shaun Tait, and Victorian Cameron White.

Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence Head Coach Bennett King will assume the coaching duties from Allan Border, while Trevor Robertson and Stephen Partridge will remain in their respective roles.

Cricket Australia Team Operations Officer Mathew Bell will replace Robertson as Team Manager for the two limited-overs matches against India and Zimbabwe in January.

NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said the side represented a blend of experience and emerging young talent.

"With the Australian side being so successful in recent years, it's difficult for those players on the cusp of selection to break into the national team," Hohns said.

"The side represents a good mix of senior experience and young talent, and reflects our approach of developing players capable of performing at the international level.

"We've included two young South Australian quicks in Paul Rofe and Shaun Tait for the first time, while Victorian ING Cup captain Cameron White will also get his first opportunity at a higher level."

Hohns said the selection of Hussey as captain was testament to his impressive start in both domestic competitions.

"Michael's a highly thought of player who has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities with Western Australia in recent months," he said.

"He's an experienced and talented performer, and is widely respected by his playing peers around the country. He'll no doubt play a role in helping point some of the younger guys in the right direction.

Hohns said those players who missed selection for the three-day game were not necessarily out of contention for future Australian representation.

"There are some senior players who have performed well for Australia A in the past who have missed out on selection this time around.

"That's certainly not to say these players are out of national calculations."

Meanwhile Cricket Australia has announced that the NSP has reviewed its selection criteria for Australia A's limited-overs engagements against India and Zimbabwe in January.

Selectors have chosen to adopt a youth policy for the two limited-overs games, with a greater emphasis on developing players for the future.

"We're trying to build a solid foundation to help secure the future health of Australian cricket, and we see the two limited-overs games in January as an opportunity to further develop some of the country's emerging young players," Hohns said.

"Certainly a greater emphasis on youth will come into consideration when we sit down to select those sides."

The Australia A side will adopt a new look in 2003-04, after Cricket Australia's Board of Directors recently approved a proposal to provide Australia A and national youth team players with a green cap for representative matches. The cap will replace the baggy yellow previously worn by the Australia A team.

Designed in the same colour and fabric as the Australian Test baggy green, but differing in style and mark, the cap will be presented to members of the side prior to the match against India.

The Australia A squad for both limited-overs matches against Zimbabwe in Perth on 1 January, and against India in Adelaide on 7 January, will be announced on Monday 15 December.