Dwarshuis, Konstas and McSweeney named in Australia A squad for India A series in Puducherry

Australia on Tuesday named a 14-member squad featuring 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.

Australia A will play two four-day matches and three one-day games, with all five fixtures scheduled to take place in Puducherry. The first four-day match will begin on September 22, while the second unofficial Test is scheduled to start on September 29. The three unofficial ODIs will be played on October 6, 9 and 11. A strong performance in the red-ball matches could also strengthen the players' claims for a place in the Test squad.

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel said the tour was an important part of exposing players to 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 continuing to push for higher honours. "We are excited by these squads and what they might achieve out of the series. Many of these players have played international cricket, whilst for others it's a continuation of previous opportunities across Australia A and CAXI formats," Bailey said.

"We consider these tours an important part of performance and developing game 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 in contention to be part of the group we take to India next year or see as having potential for further opportunities into the future," he added.

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.

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: Mahli 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.

All five fixtures will be held in Puducherry, with the first four-day match set to begin on September 22.