Published: Nov 28, 2013, 11:04 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2013, 11:04 AM (IST)
Greg Chappell is Cricket Australia’s talent manager © Getty Images
Nov 28, 2013
England are set to face a young Cricket Australia Chariman’s XI team in a two-day game from Friday ahead of the second Ashes Test. Cricket Australia’s talent manager Greg Chappell has defended the decision of fielding a young side saying the players are already representing teams in First Class cricket.
“It’s a great opportunity for our guys. A few of them have played in other games in the tour and I don’t expect them to be out of their depth. They’re all guys who have played, or are very close to, first-class cricket. They’ll be able to handle themselves. I’m a great believer in you play them when they are ready. It wouldn’t be beyond him to play first-class cricket,” Chappell was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s official website.
The team led by Michael Beer has a 16-year-old Jake Doran who has broken Doug Walters’s record as the youngest player to represent New South Wales (NSW) Second XI. According to Chappell, Doran is ready to play First Class cricket.
“If NSW were to pick him, he’d be ready to go. Worst thing you can do for a player is to leave them at a level at which they are already competent for too long,” Chappell highlighted.
Doran was happy at his selection and said that he will focus on enjoying the game. “Playing against England, it’s pretty exciting. I’m not too sure what to expect out there. I’ll probably try to keep all my words to myself. I’ll let the boys do all the talking and I’ll just back them up. There will probably be a lot of bodyline stuff. I’m more than happy to be there and face all that,” he said.
