Johnson and Perry are part of a bevy of seam bowlers in the A squad including Wes Agar, Xavier Bartlett, and Joel Paris while Swepson is the only spinner selected having not played a Test on the India tour. Leading Shield wicket-takers Michael Neser and Mark Steketee have not been selected for Australia A as both have extensive experience playing in England already.
Bancroft is in career-best form having scored four Shield centuries this season, and six in the last 12 months, as well as plundered runs in limited-overs cricket for WA and Perth Scorchers. But he has already played 34 first-class matches in England over five separate seasons there. Harris has also scored two Shield hundreds this season and is set to head back to Gloucestershire at the start of April having scored seven first-class centuries in England.
Chair of selectors George Bailey noted it was an opportunity to expose a younger group to different conditions.
“We are committed to the continued expansion of the Australia A program and these games are specifically designed to expose these players to conditions they may not experience in Australia,” Bailey siad.
“With an Ashes this winter and a tour of New Zealand early next year, this is a great opportunity for this group to perform in similar environments to those countries.
“Having Pete Handsomb, Matt Renshaw, Mitch Swepson and Jimmy Peirson will add experience as senior players who can impart their knowledge of different conditions.”
The Australia A squad will be coached by current Australia assistant Andre Borovec. Former Sri Lanka Test batter Thilan Sameraweera will also tour as the batting consultant with Scott Prestwidge looking after the bowling group having been part of the coaching staff with Australia’s women’s team during their recent World Cup triumph in South Africa.
The tour of New Zealand will also be reciprocated with Australia hosting New Zealand A for two four-day games and three 50-over matches to be played in Australia’s northern states in September this year.
Australia A squad to tour New Zealand: Wes Agar, Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, Peter Handscomb, Spencer Johnson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Joel Paris, Mitch Perry, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Tim Ward, Teague Wyllie