Youth and experience combine for Australia A in match against West Indians

Youth and experience combine for Australia A in match against West Indians

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today announced that the National Selection Panel had chosen the Australia A team to take on the West Indians in a four-day match at Bellerive Oval in Hobart starting on Saturday 9 December.

The team is -

• Damien Martyn (WA captain)
• Simon Katich (WA vice-captain)
• Andy Bichel (QLD)
• Jamie Cox (TAS)
• Brad Haddin (NSW)
• Brad Hodge (VIC)
• Mathew Inness (VIC)
• Martin Love (QLD)
• Jimmy Maher (QLD)
• Don Nash (NSW)
• Brad Oldroyd (WA)
• Scott Mason (TAS 12th man)

• Allan Border (QLD coach)
• Trevor Robertson (SA manager)
• Pat Farhart (NSW physiotherapist)

Western Australian batsman Damien Martyn will lead an Australia A team that comprises both youth and experience, with Martyn and Queensland quick Andy Bichel the two players included with Test experience.

The side has three Australia A debutants, including in-form Victorian left-armer Mathew Inness, who leads the Australian first-class bowling aggregates this year with 24 wickets, right-arm New South Wales seamer Don Nash, who has performed well in first-class cricket in recent years, and West Australian Brad Oldroyd, whose left-arm spinners have netted him 14 first-class wickets so far this season.

The side's experience comes in the form of Tasmanian right-hander Jamie Cox, who has continued his brilliant first-class record this year with 463 runs, and Test-capped players Martyn (558 first-class runs this season) and Bichel (22 first-class wickets).

Promising batsmen Brad Hodge (605 runs), Simon Katich (533 runs) and Jimmy Maher (455 runs) have also been rewarded with selection following excellent form this summer. Katich and Hodge are highly placed in the Australian first-class aggregates this season along with Martyn.

New South Welshman Brad Haddin will keep wicket and give the side batting depth.

On the selection of Australia A, Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Trevor Hohns, said: "The National Selection Panel decided to go on form, with an emphasis on the younger brigade, because we believe players should be rewarded, where possible, for good performances.

"This match against the West Indies gives us an opportunity to have a look at players at a higher level, something that fits with the Australian Cricket Board's objective of the Australia A team - to bridge the gap between domestic first-class cricket and international level."

Hohns said the pace bowling of Bichel, Inness and Nash offers variety and Oldroyd's selection will assist the country's search for additional spinning stocks.

"We are on the hunt for more spin bowlers and Brad Oldroyd is one of the better performed younger spinners in the country at the moment," he said.

"The fast bowlers warrant selection due to their performances throughout this year and previous years. The attack gives captain Damien Martyn good variety to work with."

This game will be Martyn's second stint as Australia A captain. He led the side to a draw against an England XI in 1994-95.

Australia A will be keen to continue its record against touring sides. Australia's number two side has not lost a match since its first game in 1990-91 against an England XI, winning three and drawing five of the eight games.