'A' squad announced
The squad for Australia A's opening one-day match of the Top End series has been announced, with five Test players named in the side to take on New Zealand's second team.
Brad Haddin will captain, with Brad Hodge his deputy, while Travis Birt has been rewarded for an outstanding 2005/06 Pura Cup season with a birth.
As well as Hodge, the side also features Test representatives Phil Jaques, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and Daniel Cullen.
National chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the series will be a chance to further develop Australia's younger talent.
"The Top End Series will provide a wonderful opportunity for this group of players to demonstrate their talents against some quality opposition."
"We believe we have selected a squad capable of performing in all variations of the game as we undertake one-day, four-day and Twenty20 games over the next month."
The Australians will also take on 'A' sides from Pakistan and India throughout the series in Darwin, with matches in all three versions of the game: four-day, one-day and Twenty20.
Twelfth man will be announced on the morning of the match.
Brad Haddin (c), Brad Hodge (vc), Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Daniel Cullen, Brett Dorey, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson
_____________________________________________
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
.... I thought that they did!
