Harris and Simpson benefit from Academy changes

The selection of the Australia A squad for Pakistan and three suspensions have forced a series of reshuffles for the Centre of Excellence's three-week tour to India starting on Friday. Luke Ronchi, Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen have been promoted after spending the winter at the Academy while Mark Cosgrove, David Warner and Aaron Finch were not considered after being punished for continually untidy rooms during their stays in Brisbane.

Grant Sullivan, the Queensland fast bowler, has been ruled out with a shin problem, leaving Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, to look to the first-class players Ryan Harris and Chris Simpson to fill two gaps. Michael Hill and Phillip Hughes, the impressive young batsmen who were part of the Emerging Players Tournament, and Steve Smith have also been added to the 13-man squad.

"Steve is an exciting 18-year-old legspinning allrounder, who along with Hughes and Hill is expected to come into contention for a spot in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia," Brian McFadyen, the interim head coach, said. The squad will leave on Friday to prepare for the five-match series in Chennai involving the Punjab, Andhra, and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association President's XI teams. The three-day games are planned between August 16 and September 3.

McFadyen said the tournament was a great opportunity to experience high-quality opponents in unfamiliar conditions. "The tour is the pinnacle of the programme," he said, "and is seen by Cricket Australia as an important element in the pathway to becoming an international cricketer."

Simpson was the leading spin bowler in the FR Cup last season with 16 wickets at 28.37. "We didn't have a tour the year I spent at the Academy so this will be a bit of a thrill,'' Simpson said. "It's going to be interesting for me as a slow bowler seeing how I adapt to the conditions."

Academy squad Ed Cowan (NSW), Ben Cutting (Qld), Brendan Drew (Tas), Shawn Gillies (WA), Ryan Harris (SA), Aaron Heal (WA), Michael Hill (Vic), Phillip Hughes (NSW), Craig Philipson (Qld), Luke Pomersbach (WA), Chris Simpson (Qld), Steve Smith (NSW), Matthew Wade (Vic).