Struggling Test opener Sam Konstas was picked on Thursday for Australia A’s red-ball tour of India next month, with chief selector George Bailey calling the experience “invaluable.”
The 19-year-old, who endured a torrid run during Australia’s recent senior tour of the West Indies, is the only incumbent Test player selected for the two four-day games in Lucknow.
Test-capped players Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy and Nathan McSweeney also feature in the 14-man squad.
A separate Australia A squad was named for the three one-day games.
“The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball,” said Bailey.
“We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours,” he added.
Konstas made headlines during the Melbourne Boxing Day Test last year when he took on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, making a blazing debut 60 with a succession of unorthodox shots.
He lasted just one more Test before being dropped, only to reclaim his spot for the West Indies series in June-July. However, he failed to pass 25 in six innings, with his hold on the position increasingly shaky ahead of Australia’s home Ashes series against England later this year.
FULL SQUADS
Australia A four-day squad
Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott
Australia A one-day squad
Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler
Australia A Tour Schedule:
Sept 16-19: Australia A v India A | Lucknow
Sept 23-26: Australia A v India A | Lucknow
Sept 30: Australia A v India A | Kanpur
October 3: Australia A v India A | Kanpur
October 5: Australia A v India A | Kanpur
