Dwarshuis, Konstas, McSweeney Australia main team for India A series

Australia on Tuesday named a 14-man squad with several players with international experience, including Ben Dwarshuis, Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, for their India A series in Puducherry.

The tour will allow Australia’s players to adapt to subcontinental conditions ahead of the senior team’s five-Test tour of India early next year. A strong performance in the red-ball matches could also strengthen the players’ claims for a place in the Test squad.

Australia A will play two four-day matches and three one-day matches, with all five matches to be played in Puducherry. The first four-day match will begin on September 22, while the second unofficial Test is scheduled to begin on September 29.

Three unofficial ODIs are played on 6, 9 and 11 October.

GEORGE BAILEY TOURS IN INDIA

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel said the tour was an important part of exposing the players to the conditions they are likely to encounter during the senior team’s visit to India. CA chairman George Bailey said the series would provide opportunities for both experienced international players and those who continue to aspire to higher honours.

“We are excited about these teams and what they can achieve in the series. Many of these players have played international cricket, while for others it is a continuation of previous opportunities across the Australian A and CAXI formats,” Bailey said.

Peter Handscomb, Brendan Doggett, Konstas, McSweeney, Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy have all played Test and international cricket.

Mitch Owen, Jack Edwards, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Spencer Johnson, Dwarshuis, Josh Philippe, Aaron Hardie, Nikhil Chaudhary and Mahli Beardman have also represented Australia in ODI or T20I cricket.

Bailey said Australia’s A program remains an important part of Australia’s preparation for challenging conditions overseas.

“We see these tours as an important part of the performance and development of playing styles in subcontinent conditions as part of our continued investment in the Australia A program.

“It’s a strong representation of players who will be fighting to be part of the group we take to India next year or have the potential for other opportunities going forward,” he added.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

FOUR DAY MATCHES: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott.

ONE DAY GAMES: Mahali Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

01 Sep 2026 11:31 IST