Melbourne, 23 July 2026:
Cricket Australia has named a CA XI squad to face Bangladesh in a three-day match in Darwin in August and selected a men’s development squad for the 2026 MRF Academy Program in Chennai, India.
The two programs form part of Cricket Australia’s national development pathway and are designed to give emerging players representative and overseas experience.
The CA XI includes players with international experience in Sam Konstas, Josh Philippe and Kurtis Patterson. Domestic performers Campbell Kellaway, Corey Rocchiccioli, Tom Rogers, Jake Doran, Teague Wyllie and Xavier Crone are also included.
Tim Nielsen will coach the CA XI, with Steven Crook serving as assistant coach.
Former Australia captain Tim Paine and Anthony Clark will lead the coaching group for the men’s development squad in Chennai. The squad includes Hugh Weibgen, Rafael MacMillan, Jayden Goodwin, Steven Hogan, Jason Sangha, Joel Davies, Lloyd Pope, Matt Gilkes, Jack Sinfield, Riley Kingsell, Aryan Sharma and Doug Warren.
Cricket Australia Head of National Development Sonya Thompson said the programs would expose players and coaches to high-level competition and different conditions.
“The match against Bangladesh will give players the opportunity to challenge themselves in a representative environment, while the MRF Academy Program continues a valued partnership that provides exposure to different conditions, coaching expertise and learning experiences,” Thompson said.
She said Nielsen’s leadership in Darwin and the involvement of Paine and Clark in India would strengthen development across the national pathway.
The CA XI will assemble in Darwin on Aug. 4 before playing Bangladesh from Aug. 6-8. Play is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time each day.
The men’s development squad will be in Chennai from Aug. 1-13. The MRF Academy Program will include two multiday matches on Aug. 5-6 and Aug. 10-11 on pitches expected to favor spin bowling and broaden talent assessment.
