Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
The National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen eight men’s players to visit the MRF Academy in Chennai, India during August.
The tour will expose players to the unique conditions of the sub-continent, where the schedule combines match play with intense training opportunities.
The players chosen include a mix of rising batters from across the Australian First-Class scene as well as Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper and Western Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.
The players to attend from August 7-18 are:
Joel Davies (NSW – Manly Warringah District Cricket Club)
Tim Ward (TAS – University of Tasmania Cricket Club)
Will Sutherland (VIC – Prahran Cricket Club)
Campbell Kellaway (VIC – Melbourne Cricket Club)
Nathan McSweeney (SA – Glenelg Cricket Club)
Sam Harper (VIC – Melbourne Cricket Club)
Cooper Connolly (WA – Scarborough Cricket Club)
Corey Rocchiccioli (WA – University Cricket Club)
Former Australian spinner and WA Assistant Coach, Beau Casson will lead the squad as Head Coach, with support from former Sri Lankan allrounder, Thilan Samaraweera.
The eight players will integrate with local players in training and match opportunities, including a T20, one-day and two-day match within the camp block.
Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann were both part of the touring academy squad in 2022, before going on to make their Test debuts in India earlier this year.
Player and coaching exchanges between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia have been in place for almost 20 years, with current Test players Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey some of those to have previously toured.
Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia Head of National Development, said:
“We’re delighted to continue the partnership with the MRF Academy and offer some of our best young players the opportunity to be exposed to such a unique experience.
“Training tours such as this are vital to help ensure players continually develop their skills and are fully prepared for whatever conditions they might face throughout their careers.”
Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.
