Shield rookies’ Windies warm up
Promising Sheffield Shield batters Jack Clayton and Teague Wyllie will have a chance to impress the Australian selectors in a three-day tour game against the West Indies next week.
Peter Handscomb, who does not have a BBL contract this season, will lead a Cricket Australia XI at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval from January 12 as the inexperienced West Indies side prepares for the two-Test series in Adelaide and Brisbane.
The left-handed Clayton, one of Queensland’s top Shield performers this season, and Western Australian young gun Wyllie are the two hottest batting prospects named in a 12man squad that also includes young Warriors opener Jayden Goodwin and Tasmanian duo Tim Ward and Jake Doran.
Clayton posted a century and three 50s in the first half of the red-ball season, while Wyllie last summer became the youngest batter since Ricky Ponting to score a Shield century but has failed to reach the milestone in 16 first-class matches since.
National selection panel chair George Bailey said he wanted to mix domestic cricket’s most consistent performers with some recent Shield debutants for the tour match.
Victorian left-arm orthodox bowler Doug Warren, who has played two first-class games, is the only spinner named in the side, while towering WA leftarm quick Liam Haskett and NSW seamer Jack Nisbet are also Shield debutants.
“CA XI matches provide an excellent opportunity for some of our up-and-coming players on the domestic scene to face international opposition as well as rewarding consistent performers,” Bailey said.