Boland, Konstas, Renshaw named in Prime Minister's XI squad to face India

Cricket Australia (CA) have named a 14-person Prime Minister’s XI squad for the two-day warmup match against India from November 30 and have opted to name Scott Boland, who was in the squad for the first Test in Perth but missed out on selection. 

Boland played in the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and returned match figures of 1/87 as he built up his fitness following a return from a long injury layoff, which saw him miss six months of action. CA have used this warm-up game as an opportunity to further help the 35-year-old get into full match fitness.

"We are utilising the opportunity to maintain Scott Boland’s match fitness in his preparations as part of the Test squad," said selection chief George Bailey.

Young Sam Konstas, who was one of the initial contenders to open against India but fell behind Nathan McSweeney in the pecking order, has also been named in the squad. Konstas had three failures in the first three innings that he batted in the unofficial Test series but posted a mighty impressive 73* in the fourth innings at the MCG, where Australia A successfully chased down 168.

Matt Renshaw, who is out of the Test scheme of things, has also been picked. He recently returned to form with a superb ton against Tasmania, his 22nd in first-class cricket. Renshaw hasn’t played for Australia since the Delhi Test against India in 2023, where he came in as a concussion substitute for David Warner and posted 2. 

The team will be captained by New South Wales’ Jack Edwards, who has had a solid 18 months across formats. Under-19 World Cup winners Mahli Beardman, Charlie Anderson, and Aidan O'Connor have all also been picked, as has leg-spinner Lloyd Pope. The leggie, this season, has taken 12 wickets at an average of 30.58.

The two-day game, which will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, will be a pink-ball, day-night fixture that will serve as a warmup for the second Test in Adelaide, which will be played under lights. 

Prime Minister's XI squad to face 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

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