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Craig HillPrime Minister's XI Led By Justin Langer
January 20th 2009 10:53
Cricket Australia today announced Justin Langer as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI when it plays against New Zealand on 29 January at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
The team also includes young New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes who has been a prolific run-scorer in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. The team was selected by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) with input from Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
The Prime Minister’s XI team is:
Justin Langer, WA (Captain) 38
Phillip Hughes, NSW 20
Michael Klinger, SA 28
George Bailey, TAS 26
Tim Paine, TAS 24
Dan Christian, SA 25
Jon Holland, VIC 21
Callum Ferguson, SA 24
Clint McKay , VIC 25
Moises Henriques, NSW 21
Jason Behrendorff, ACT 18
Ashton May , ACT (12th man) 19
“Having a great Australian cricketer like Justin leading the PM’s XI will not only add great interest in the event but it will be fantastic to have him lead a group of young and talented Australian cricketers,” NSP Chairman, Andrew Hilditch said.
“There has been quite a lot of change in the Australian team in the last couple of years and this game provides yet another opportunity for young Australian players to push their case for selection.
“Michael Klinger and Phillip Hughes have both been in terrific form in domestic cricket with both batsmen among the top three run-scorers in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. Phillip has gained the attention of the selectors at the top of the order while Michael is also one of the leading run getters in the Ford Ranger Cup.
“All of the young players have been performing well in their respective state teams including Moises Henriques, Callum Ferguson and George Bailey. Also picked is Victorian Jon Holland who has been impressive this year and is considered an exciting prospect as a left-arm finger spinner.”
All players have been selected with their domestic duties in mind which will see Queensland and Western Australian players rested for this game as they will play the night before in the Ford Ranger Cup.
“Few cricketers have worn the baggy green with such immense pride and distinction as Justin Langer. This is a great opportunity to again honour the momentous contribution he made to Australian cricket,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.
“It is exciting also to see a young squad of emerging players given an opportunity on this stage, who we hope will go on to be our champions of tomorrow.”
Local players Jason Behrendorff and Ashton May will also get the opportunity to mix with the country’s best young talent. Jason is a left arm fast bowler, who was identified by Australian pace bowling coach, Troy Cooley, and selected in the Australian Honours squad from the National Under 19 carnival played in 2008
Ashton also caught the selectors’ eye with an impressive performance with the ACT Comets in the Cricket Australia Cup.
Langer is no stranger to Manuka Oval having being asked to captain the Prime Minister’s XI match after returning from injury during the West Indies tour in 2005.
“It is an honour to be asked to captain any Australian cricket team and leading the PM’s XI will be no different. When I last played at Manuka we didn’t get a result so I’m keen to help the Prime Minister chalk up his first win,” Langer said.
“With so much change taking place in the Australian team at the moment, this match provides some of our younger stars with a chance to hone their skills against another international team and show selectors they can mix it with the best. I’m sure the Black Caps will also be keen to find some form before they get stuck into the Commonwealth Bank Series as well.”
The team also includes young New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes who has been a prolific run-scorer in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. The team was selected by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) with input from Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
The Prime Minister’s XI team is:
Justin Langer, WA (Captain) 38
Phillip Hughes, NSW 20
Michael Klinger, SA 28
George Bailey, TAS 26
Tim Paine, TAS 24
Dan Christian, SA 25
Jon Holland, VIC 21
Callum Ferguson, SA 24
Clint McKay , VIC 25
Moises Henriques, NSW 21
Jason Behrendorff, ACT 18
Ashton May , ACT (12th man) 19
“Having a great Australian cricketer like Justin leading the PM’s XI will not only add great interest in the event but it will be fantastic to have him lead a group of young and talented Australian cricketers,” NSP Chairman, Andrew Hilditch said.
“There has been quite a lot of change in the Australian team in the last couple of years and this game provides yet another opportunity for young Australian players to push their case for selection.
“Michael Klinger and Phillip Hughes have both been in terrific form in domestic cricket with both batsmen among the top three run-scorers in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield. Phillip has gained the attention of the selectors at the top of the order while Michael is also one of the leading run getters in the Ford Ranger Cup.
“All of the young players have been performing well in their respective state teams including Moises Henriques, Callum Ferguson and George Bailey. Also picked is Victorian Jon Holland who has been impressive this year and is considered an exciting prospect as a left-arm finger spinner.”
All players have been selected with their domestic duties in mind which will see Queensland and Western Australian players rested for this game as they will play the night before in the Ford Ranger Cup.
“Few cricketers have worn the baggy green with such immense pride and distinction as Justin Langer. This is a great opportunity to again honour the momentous contribution he made to Australian cricket,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.
“It is exciting also to see a young squad of emerging players given an opportunity on this stage, who we hope will go on to be our champions of tomorrow.”
Local players Jason Behrendorff and Ashton May will also get the opportunity to mix with the country’s best young talent. Jason is a left arm fast bowler, who was identified by Australian pace bowling coach, Troy Cooley, and selected in the Australian Honours squad from the National Under 19 carnival played in 2008
Ashton also caught the selectors’ eye with an impressive performance with the ACT Comets in the Cricket Australia Cup.
Langer is no stranger to Manuka Oval having being asked to captain the Prime Minister’s XI match after returning from injury during the West Indies tour in 2005.
“It is an honour to be asked to captain any Australian cricket team and leading the PM’s XI will be no different. When I last played at Manuka we didn’t get a result so I’m keen to help the Prime Minister chalk up his first win,” Langer said.
“With so much change taking place in the Australian team at the moment, this match provides some of our younger stars with a chance to hone their skills against another international team and show selectors they can mix it with the best. I’m sure the Black Caps will also be keen to find some form before they get stuck into the Commonwealth Bank Series as well.”
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