Australia name squad for U-19 Quad Series in India

Cricket Australia's Youth Selection Panel announced a 14-member Australian U-19 squad.

Cricket Australia8217;s CA Youth Selection Panel YSP today announced a 14-member Australian Under-19 squad to compete in the U-19 Quad Series in India,beginning from September 23.

Australia will compete against India,South Africa and Zimbabwe in the Quad Series,in preparation for next February8217;s ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai. The Australian squad comprises some emerging talents,including Ben McDermott,son of former Australian fast-bowler Craig; 2013 U19 National Championship leading wicket-taker Cameron Valente; and 16-year-old batsman Jake Doran,who was the standout of the recently-played U19 International Series in Darwin with a spectacular average of 195.

CA National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said: 8220;This Quad Series in India is part of our preparation for next year8217;s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. This series continues our comprehensive U-19 program to ensure our emerging talent is exposed to international competition and conditions that challenge and build our players technically and mentally.

8220;A number of these players have already had a taste of international cricket against top quality opposition. This year,our U-19s played New Zealand in New Zealand,as well as India in Darwin. Matthew Fotia also worked with Glenn McGrath at his MRF Pace Foundation academy in India.

8220;We are pleased with the balance of this 14-player squad to compete in the Quad Series in India. This squad contains a good balance of left and right-handed batsmen,with aggressive players and batsmen that can build partnerships and anchor our innings.

Talking about the bowlers in the squad,Chappell said: 8220;We8217;ve selected a strong bowling contingent,with Cameron Valente8217;s clever medium pace variations and quality pace bowlers in Matthew Fotia,Ben Ashkenazi,Guy Walker and Billy

Stanlake.

8220;India8217;s dry wickets will offer turn for our spinners Tom Andrews and Riley Ayre,while top-order batsman Kelvin Smith can also provide support with his part-time offspin.

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8220;Following this Quad Series in India,we also have an upcoming tour to Sri Lanka where our players will train and play in sub-continental conditions,8221; Chappell said. The squad will be coached by CA8217;s High Performance Coach Stuart Law. Law is tasked with the development of CA8217;s underage players and will also coach the side in next year8217;s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai.

Joel Logan NT,Josh Dunning WA and Jeremy Maher NSW have been placed on stand-by for the series. Australian U-19 squad: Sean Willis TAS,Jaron Morgan WA,Kelvin Smith SA,Damien Mortimer NSW,Ben McDermott QLD,Jake Doran NSW,Matthew Kelly WA,Tom Andrews NT/SA,Cameron Valente SA,Matthew Fotia VIC,Ben Ashkenazi VIC,Guy Walker VIC,Subject to fitness Billy Stanlake QLD,Subject to fitness,Riley Ayre NSW

U-19 Quad Series Schedule:

September 23 8211; Australia v South Africa,India v Zimbabwe

September 25 8211; Australia v Zimbabwe,India v South Africa

September 27 8211; Australia v India,Zimbabwe v South Africa

September 29 8211; Australia v South Africa,India v Zimbabwe

October 1 8211; Australia v Zimbabwe,India v South Africa

October 3 8211; Australia v India,Zimbabwe v South Africa

October 5 8211; Final.