Peter Handscomb has been granted one final chance to push his case for a berth on Australia's Test tour to India when he captains a Cricket Australia XI against South Africa.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his last elite red-ball match before the tour squad is selected, Handscomb will lead a relatively inexperienced side at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Officials initially considered rolling out an Australia A team against the tourists, however those plans were changed with the match no longer given first-class status.
AAP has been told that is largely down to South Africa wanting to use more than 11 players in the warm-up game, effectively leaving it as a glorified four-day centre-wicket practice match from December 9.
Handscomb is the most experienced member of the CA XI squad, with Henry Hunt the other player to back up from the Prime Minister's XI team fielded against the Windies last week.
Highly-regarded teenager Teague Wyllie will also play, after making headlines with a century in the first Sheffield Shield game of the season in October.
Fellow youngster Campbell Kellaway has been included, as has in-form Tasmania opener Tim Ward, the back-up spinner from this year's Sri Lanka tour Matt Kuhnemann and former ODI quick Chris Tremain.
"We've picked a squad which has a balance of youth and experience," chief selector George Bailey said.
"It's an exciting opportunity for Teague Wyllie and Campbell Kellaway to play alongside and learn from established domestic cricketers against an international team of South Africa's quality."
But the opportunity is greatest for Handscomb.
The Victorian has hit 562 runs at 93.66 in this summer's Sheffield Shield, boosting his chances of a return to the Test team after being dropped in January 2019.
Known for his ability to play spin, the right-hander's best chance of a recall would come if selectors do not back Travis Head to return to the sub-continent after his tough tours of Sri Lanka and Pakistan this year.
Players will move into the Big Bash League after the game, with the squad to tour India to be picked before Shield cricket returns in February.
CA XI: Peter Handscomb (capt), Sam Whiteman, Henry Hunt, Tim Ward, Teague Wyllie, Campbell Kellaway, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jake Doran, Jack Clayton, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Chris Tremain, Jordan Buckingham, Liam Hatcher.
Australian Associated Press
