Whiteman to lead inexperienced CA XI against India
D'Arcy Short is the only player with international experience, while only eight of the twelve named have played first-class cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff
21-Nov-2018
D'Arcy Short is the only player in the squad with international experience • Getty Images
Sam Whiteman, the Western Australia wicketkeeper-batsman, will lead the Cricket Australia XI that will take on India in a four-day tour match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match, scheduled from November 28 to December 1, will serve as a warm-up for the Indian team before the first Test in Adelaide that starts from December 6.
D'Arcy Short is the only player with international experience in the twelve named, with the squad comprised mostly of younger players, including four members of the Under-19 team that finished runners up in the World Cup earlier this year. Only eight of the players selected have played first-class cricket previously.
The team selected could also change, with Cricket Australia adding a rider that "The team is subject to players earning state selection for Round 5 of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition, commencing on 27 November."
Graeme Hick, the batting coach of the senior team, will be the head coach of this side with Sridharan Sriram, the national team's spin consultant, appointed the assistant coach.
Greg Chappell, the chairman of the Youth Selection Panel and the national talent manager, said the squad was one that offered plenty of options.
"This is an excellent opportunity for these talented players to test themselves against India, the number one Test team in the world," Chappell said. "It's a versatile squad, with a number of players capable of contributing with bat and ball. D'Arcy Short and Param Uppal both offer valuable spin bowling, alongside their batting, with Aaron Hardie and Jonathan Merlo both capable middle-order batsmen who offer a seam-bowling option.
"Many of the players in this squad have previously played in a Cricket Australia XI during their career, and eight have played Sheffield Shield cricket. We know this is a chance for our emerging players to display their skills against a world-class opponent, and we look forward to seeing what they can do against India."
Cricket Australia XI squad: Sam Whiteman (capt), Max Bryant, Jake Carder, Jackson Coleman, Harry Conway, Daniel Fallins, David Grant, Aaron Hardie, Jonathan Merlo, Harry Nielsen (wk), D'Arcy Short, Param Uppal