The squad for the Prime Minister’s XI match against India in Canberra has been announced by the National Selection Panel closely led by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Hanno Jacobs of ACT Comets will be making his playing debut alongside experienced international players in the likes of Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw as he plays for the Prime Minister’s XI.
A right-arm medium-pace bowler and a lower-order batsman, Jacobs has played for the ACT Comets for the last four years in the Toyota Second XI competition. The last time they played together was in the February World Cup victory, where former Australian U19s players Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Aidan O’Connor and Sam Konstas starred for the team.
Jack Edwards will be the captain of a team that has a smooth balance between raw talent in the form of young cricketers in the country and experienced foreign players. The squad is also expected to include several cricketers from the local ACT premier league to enhance the performance of the team.
“It will be different for the team as it has to play against one of the best teams in the world led by Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, with the knowledge that millions are watching the game from all over the world.”
“I appreciate Jack Edwards in particular for taking over the captaincy role. I am excited to see him helming a team that will be challenged effectively but within the confines of the most commendable traditions and principles of the Prime Minister’s XI,” remarked Anthony Albanese.
The match will also feature Indian captain Rohit Sharma who missed the first Test in Perth owing to the birth of his second child. After nearly three years, India is set to engage in a pink-ball Test match in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash held in Adelaide. Thus the tour game in Canberra provides essential scaffolding for it.
Matthew Renshaw is the only other capped player other than Hazlewood in the PM’s XI lineup. ‘The squad has an older core and some of the promising up and coming talents in Australia. The Prime Minister’s XI match provides an opportunity for a very talented team to play against the strong Indian team which is their only pink-ball warm-up match before the second Test.’
‘We are taking this opportunity because Scott Boland is part of the Test squad and we want him to keep his match-ready fitness. We acknowledge the Prime Minister’s contribution to this great composition where some of the most talented and promising young players in this country are incorporated alongside very seasoned players,’ chief selector George Bailey clarified.”
The two-day match cum day-night fixture against India will kick start on Saturday, 30 November, 2024, at Manuka Oval. The match will see India play with the pink Kookaburra ball under lights, opening the DRMA Insurance Day Night Test Match at the Adelaide Oval.
The Prime Minister’s XI squad to play India:
Jack Edwards (c), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O’Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan.
