Cricket Australia’s (CA) Youth Selection Panel (YSP) has announced a 15-player Australian U19 squad to tour Sri Lanka next month.
The 15-player squad is a showcase of Australia’s top emerging talent, including Tom Healy, son of former Australian wicketkeeper Ian; 2014 U17 National Championship player of the tournament Jake Winter; and 2014 U17 Championship leading wicket-taker Kyle Scrimegour, who also scored 200* during that tournament.
The squad will play Sri Lanka’s U19 squad across five one-day matches and one three-day match in Colombo.
Commenting on the squad chosen, CA National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said: “We are delighted to tour Sri Lanka and continue our relationship with Sri Lanka Cricket’s development squads.
“This tour to Sri Lanka will be the first time some of our squad have been exposed to sub-continental conditions and will be a great learning opportunity.
“This squad fields a number of promising spinners including Sam Grimwade, Matthew Kuhnemann and Jonte Pattison, who will have the opportunity to hone their bowling on the spin-friendly tracks, as well as the chance to work alongside Cricket Australia’s spin consultant John Davison.
“The fast-bowling contingent is also an exciting one, with Lain Beckett, Izaac Boylan, David Grant and Jhye Richardson evident of the depth of Australia’s young quick stocks.
“Our two wicketkeeper/batsmen have both shown their match-breaking potential during the U17 Championships. Tom Healy is a classy stroke-maker in the mould of his father Ian, and Sam Harper has impressed as captain for Victoria.
“We’ve selected a strong batting line-up, with the likes of Liam Banthorpe, Patrick McKenna, Matthew Renshaw, and all-rounders Kyle Scrimegour and Clint Hinchliffe who will benefit from playing against quality opposition on turning decks,” Chappell said.
Australia’s U19 tour to Sri Lanka continues Cricket Australia’s player pathway development program which is designed to test emerging players in a variety of conditions in order to prepare them for similar challenges faced at international level.
The squad will be coached by CA’s High Performance Coach Graeme Hick and John Davison, Cricket Australia’s spin coach, will be assistant coach. Davison spent time in June working with Nathan Lyon, Muthiah Muralidaran and a group of young development players in Sri Lanka as part of the National Cricket Centre Spin Program.
The team will assemble in Brisbane on 20 September and will depart for Colombo, Sri Lanka the following day.
Cricket Australia’s Youth Selection Panel comprises of Chappell, Hick and National Cricket Centre Head Coach Troy Cooley, who are supported by the State Talent Managers throughout the selection process.
Australian U19 tour to Sri Lanka match fixture
25 September – 1st One Day match, Sinhalese Sports Club
27 September – 2nd One Day match, R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
29 September – 3rd One Day match, Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic CC
1 October – 4th One Day match, Colombo Cricket Club
3 October – 5th One Day match, Nondescript Cricket Club
7-9 October, 3-day match, Colombo Colts Cricket Club
