Established domestic stars to lead a handful of up-and-coming players for tour of India later this month
McDermott, Philippe to lead young squad in India
Star KFC BBL batsmen Ben McDermott and Josh Philippe headline a 14-man squad that will play six white-ball games in India later this month and work alongside legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath.
Cricket Australia’s National Performance Squad, which will be coached by former Test opener Chris Rogers, will play three one-day games and three T20 matches against teams from the famed MRF Academy in Chennai, starting later this week.
McDermott and Philippe enjoyed breakout seasons at domestic level last summer and they will be joined in the squad by leg-spinners Lloyd Pope (from South Australia) and Daniel Fallins (from NSW) as well was WA wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis.
McGrath, who is the director of the MRF Pace Foundation, will also be on hand to offer advice to the next generation of Australian players.
"Australian Cricket has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the MRF Foundation for 26 years and we value the chance to take some of our young players to India to give them the chance to stretch themselves under match conditions," said CA Pathways Manager Graham Manou.
"The pace bowlers will also have the opportunity to interact with Glenn who has a wealth of knowledge about bowling and can certainly assist them to expand their skills.
"The squad has a nice blend of youth and some more experienced members, so the coaching staff of Chris Rogers and Craig Howard will have plenty of options to work with."
Squad: Tom Andrews (SA), Oliver Davies (NSW), Dan Fallins (NSW), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Vic), Cameron Green (WA), Ryan Hadley (NSW), Aaron Hardie (WA), Lachlan Hearne (NSW), Josh Inglis (WA), Ben McDermott (Tas), Jonathon Merlo (Vic), Todd Murphy (Vic), Josh Philippe (WA), Lloyd Pope (SA)