Cricket Australia has announced a 14-man CA XI squad to take on Bangladesh in a three-day tour match in Darwin. The fixture, which begins on August 13, serves as a vital warm-up ahead of the first Test. The selection of young talents Sam Konstas and Campbell Kellaway highlights the selectors' belief in the pair as long-term opening prospects for the Test side. Despite modest first-class records, both players previously demonstrated their potential by opening together for Australia A in India last year, where they produced strong partnerships of 198 and 56 not out in the first unofficial Test in Lucknow.
Konstas, 20, has five Test appearances to his name but has been absent from the setup since a challenging tour of the Caribbean. During the previous Sheffield Shield season, he scored 660 runs at an average of 33, including one century and two half-centuries. Kellaway, 23, also registered a century and two fifties last summer, though he finished with a season average of 26.78. The squad will be guided by former Australia coach and current Under 19s mentor Tim Nielsen.
The side also features 33-year-old New South Wales batter Kurtis Patterson, who remains a player of national interest. Patterson has averaged 48 across 23 first-class matches over the last two years, accumulating four centuries, including one for Australia A against the England Lions. Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli has also been included, with the selectors looking toward upcoming Australia A and Test tours of India scheduled for September and January. Rocchiccioli has established himself as a leading spinner in the Sheffield Shield over the past five seasons, claiming 151 wickets at an average of 29.16.
The squad is rounded out by wicketkeeper-batters Josh Philippe and Jake Doran, alongside a youthful pace attack. Meanwhile, a separate group of 12 Australian development players, including Jason Sangha and Joel Davies, will travel to Chennai for the annual MRF Academy Program. This group will be mentored by former Australia captain Tim Paine and includes Lloyd Pope, Hugh Weibgen, and Steven Hogan. The full CA XI squad consists of Campbell Kellaway, Campbell Thompson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Hanno Jacobs, Jake Doran, Jerrssis Wadia, Josh Philippe, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Konstas, Teague Wyllie, Tom Menzies, Tom Rogers, Xavier Crone, and Noah McFadyen.
