Australia’s emerging cricketers and those on the cusp of selection will be able to shine in their own backyard this winter after Cricket Australia announced a unique quadrangular tournament to be played from July to September.
Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane will host four teams including Australia A, the National Performance squad, South Africa A and another international team, which will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
In a feast of cricket, 18-matches will be played over 30 days including 14 one-day matches and handful of four-day fixtures.
It is the biggest cricket tournament to be staged in Queensland since the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
“This is an important series for us that will provide the national selectors and coaches with excellent insights into those players who are either returning from injury or have impressed in the past 12 months and who could play a role for the Australian team in the future,’’ Cricket Australia’s Pat Howard said.
The tournament provides a huge opportunity for regional centres like Mackay to welcome international visitors and boost tourism.
“Northern Queensland is an ideal region to host winter cricket and we are pleased to be able to bring such quality cricket content to Townsville and Mackay, and very grateful for the outstanding commitment from their local councils to enable this to take place,’’ Queensland Cricket Chairman Jim Holding said.
The matches come at the same time the Australian team is touring Sri Lanka, allowing the A team to be the perfect back up for those who didn’t make selection.
The Australia A squad includes those who have already played for Australia such as Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, Moises Henriques, Scott Boland and Kane Richardson.
Ashton Agar
Cameron Bancroft
Scott Boland
Cameron Boyce
Pat Cummins
Travis Dean
Peter Handscomb
Travis Head
Sam Heazlett
Moises Henriques
Jake Lehmann
Chris Lynn
Joe Mennie
Kurtis Patterson
Joel Paris
Matt Renshaw
Kane Richardson
Alex Ross
Chadd Sayers
Marcus Stoinis
Mitchell Swepson
Chris Tremain
Dan Worrell
Sam Whiteman
Coach: Troy Cooley
Four Day Matches
30 July – 2 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
6 August – 9 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
8-11 September, Australia A v TBC, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
15-18 September, Australia A v TBC, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
One Day Series
13 August, South Africa A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
14 August, Australia A v TBC, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
16 August, Australia A v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
17 August, South Africa A v TBC, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
20 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
21 August, TBC v NPS, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville
24 August, NPS v Australia A, Harrup Park, Mackay
25 August, South Africa A v TBC, Harrup Park, Mackay
27 August, NPS v TBC, Harrup Park, Mackay
28 August, Australia A v South Africa A, Harrup Park, Mackay
30 August, Australia A v TBC, Harrup Park, Mackay
31 August, South Africa A v NPS, Harrup Park, Mackay
3 September; Final 3 v 4, Harrup Park, Mackay
4 September, Final 1 v 2, Harrup Park, Mackay
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