Cricket

Australia A and India A will engage in a multi-format series in Queensland during August, providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and vie for higher honors. The series will feature three T20s in Brisbane, three 50-over games in Mackay, and a four-day match on the Gold Coast.Tahlia McGrath, Australia's vice-captain, will lead the T20 and 50-over squads, while Queensland allrounder Charli Knott will captain the four-day side. The squads comprise a blend of established domestic players and rising stars eager to make their mark.The four-day game offers a rare opportunity for players from both countries to experience long-form cricket. McGrath expressed her excitement for the series, stating, "It presents those of us not playing in the Hundred with the chance to prepare for a huge summer against a strong opposition."National selector Shawn Flegler emphasized the importance of the series in assessing domestic talent and preparing nationally contracted players for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Australia will face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series in mid-September before heading to Bangladesh for the World Cup.The series against India A marks the beginning of a busy season for Australia, which includes the WBBL, a short tour of New Zealand, and the multi-format Ashes in January.

Australia A to Host India A in Four-Day Series Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyIn preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia A will face India A in a two-match four-day series. The matches will serve as a crucial opportunity for players from both sides to showcase their skills and stake their claim for Test selection.The series will commence at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 31 to November 3, followed by a second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to 10. Following the A series, the entire Indian squad will engage in an internal warm-up fixture at the WACA from November 15 to 17 before the opening Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.For Australia, the A matches will coincide with the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. Selectors will need to determine if any players involved in the white-ball teams could potentially feature for the A side. The A matches may also clash with Sheffield Shield fixtures.The T20Is against Pakistan are unlikely to involve any of Australia's Test players due to their proximity to the India series. While Steven Smith is expected to remain as an opener, the structure of Australia's batting order remains a topic of debate. The A matches could provide an opportunity for Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw to impress.In the past, Pakistan faced the Prime Minister's XI, effectively an Australia A team, in Canberra ahead of the Test series. During India's previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, they played two warm-up matches against Australia A before the Test series, which India won 2-1.The India women's team will also tour Australia for three ODIs in early December, which will be played around the second men's Test in Adelaide.