Ex-Test bats get chance to make case in Australia A
Kurtis Patterson will be given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback, named in the Australia A squad to face Sri Lanka A.
Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Patterson is one of several big names to headline the 16-man 'A' squad for the multi-format series in Darwin next month.
Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw is also named.
Former white-ball international quick Billy Stanlake forms part of the squad after playing just two 50-over games for Tasmania last summer, while Tigers opener Jake Weatherald also features.
Australia's selectors did not consider players who already have overseas deals that overlap with the three one-day and two four-day games against the Sri Lankans.
Patterson is currently in the middle of a three-match stint with Surrey, but will return home in time to play for Australia A.
A century-maker in his last Test for Australia in early 2019, Patterson was squeezed out of the side when David Warner and Steve Smith returned from bans.
The 32-year-old's career has been a rollercoaster since then, including going from captaining NSW in the Sheffield Shield to being dropped altogether.
Patterson won back his spot in the state side last summer, and was the competition's fourth-leading run-scorer with 743 at an average of 57.15.
The left-hander also scored a century for Australia A against the England Lions in January, further making his case for a Test recall.
"We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said.
"Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition.
"Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw who bring substantial experience at 'A' level."
AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A:
Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald.
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The Age
18 hours ago
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‘I can't coach Queensland': Cheika on trophies, Aussie snubs and a future in league
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'No, seriously, I couldn't. It would be like me going to coach Munster against Leinster. Loading 'I understand it's a professional game and all that business. I get it. And I respect the guys at Queensland, I like (QRU chief executive) Dave Hanham a lot. He's a top fellow and they're good guys, and a good team. A great team, right? 'But there are just some rivalries … like, why would you disrespect the people from Waratahs that were on that journey back then (in 2013-2015)? 'I couldn't. I don't think it's right. I just don't think it would be the right thing to do. 'But that's me. I'm like that.'
