BGT 2027 Prep Begins: Ex-RCB Batter And Sam Konstas Named In Australia A Squad

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced the Australia ‘A’ squad for the multi-format tour of India later this year, and the squad features a strong mix of players with international caps and youngsters eyeing to leave a mark. 

The 14-man squad, announced earlier today, features as many as eight players with international caps to their name, with teenage sensation Sam Konstas being the most significant name of them all. Konstas, who sizzled on debut at the MCG against India last year, was a bench warmer in the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year but the 19-year-old is being prepped for the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India by the Kangaroos, having been picked in the ‘A’ squad.

Nathan McSweeney, who was tormented by Jasprit Bumrah in the 2024/25 BGT, is also in the squad, as are youngsters Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie, who have been around the white-ball set-up regularly for some time now. 

The 14-person squad also features former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) man Josh Phillipe, who was once highly rated but has fallen off the radar of late. The wicketkeeper batter, however, has been in terrific form for Australia ‘A’, with his last 4 scores reading 85, 120*, 4 & 105. 

The omission of highly-rated opener Jake Weatherald suggests that the selectors might be looking at the left-hander as a serious option for the Ashes, thus asking him to stay back and focus on preparing for the massive home season.

Xavier Bartlett, Lance Morris, Jack Edwards and Fergus O’Neill form the pace attack while the Kangaroos will carry a pretty strong spin attack in the form of Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli.

Australia A four-day squad for India tour

Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott

Jake Fraser-McGurk picked in one-day squad

As far as the limited-over games are concerned, the biggest name in the Australia ‘A’ squad is Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has had a torrid 1.5 years across formats, completely falling off the rails post a remarkable IPL 2024. Having lost his place in both formats, he will have a chance to showcase his credentials. 

For the one-day games, the Aussies have a much younger pace attack, with both Tom Straker and Callum Vidler, who played in the 2024 U19 WC, picked. All-rounder Will Sutherland is a senior figure in the pace attack while leggie Tanveer Sangha, who played the semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy against India, has been picked for the white-ball games as well.

Australia A one-day squad for India tour

Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler

Australia A tour of India schedule 

September 16-19: First four-day match, Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

September 23-26: Second four-day match, Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

September 30: First one-day match, Green Park, Kanpur

October 3: Second one-day match, Green Park, Kanpur

October 5: Third one-day match, Green Park, Kanpur