The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced the Australia one-day squad for the VB Tour of The British Isles in June and July, and the Australia A squad for the VB Tour of England in July and August this year.

Australia ODI Squad
Michael Clarke (c) NSW  31
Shane Watson (vc) NSW  30
George Bailey TAS  29
Patrick Cummins NSW  19
Xavier Doherty TAS 29
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS  29
Mike Hussey WA  36
David Hussey VIC  34
Mitchell Johnson WA  30
Brett Lee NSW  35
Clint McKay VIC  29
James Pattinson VIC  22
Steve Smith NSW  22
Matthew Wade VIC  24
David Warner NSW  25

Australia A Squad
Ed Cowan (c) TAS  29
Peter Forrest (vc) QLD  26
George Bailey TAS  29
Jackson Bird TAS  25
Joe Burns QLD  22
Tom Cooper SA  25
Patrick Cummins  NSW 19
Ben Cutting QLD  25
Liam Davis WA 27
Jon Holland VIC 24
Mitchell Johnson WA 30
Michael Klinger SA  31
Nathan Lyon SA  24
Tim Paine TAS  27
James Pattinson VIC  22
Steve Smith NSW  22
Mitchell Starc NSW  22

Commenting on the ODI squad, National Selector John Inverarity said: “We will have to be at the top of our game to go to England and beat them on their home soil but we’ve selected a strong squad and believe we have the ability to win this one-day series.

“Steve Smith has been rewarded for his late season form. He has come into strong contention for the Australian ICC World Twenty20 squad to be named in August and the NSP is keen to have him in the set-up in England as the reserve batsman, noting that his leg-spinners would provide good variation to our attack.

“Mitchell Johnson has also been included in this ODI squad. He, also, is in strong contention for the ICC World Twenty20 and needs to be in the set-up and have some quality competitive cricket leading into this. The NSP is looking forward to Mitchell being reinvigorated after being out of the game for six months.

“We are also excited about the return of Pat Cummins and we are looking to ease him back into the team. He will not be expected to play in all of the eight scheduled games.

“Peter Forrest, Mitchell Starc, Dan Christian, Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included in this squad. During the Australian summer and in the West Indies, Peter Forrest and Mitchell Starc were two young players who grasped their opportunities and acquitted themselves well and enhanced their reputations. However, they have made way in this squad for Steve Smith and Pat Cummins.

“In February and March, Dan Christian showed what a very useful and good all-rounder he is, making some strong contributions. He has been omitted to make way for Mitchell Johnson, but remains very much in our plans for the ICC World Twenty20 and a distinct possibility for the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan in August/September.

“Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill have not been included as Xavier Doherty has been preferred as the only spinner and Matthew Wade is the only ‘keeper. It is a great deal easier getting replacements to England than to the West Indies and both Nathan and Peter will be on standby should they be required,” Inverarity said.

Commenting on the Australia A squad, Inverarity said: “The Australia A Squad has been difficult to finalise. While there is a busy schedule of cricket ahead, it cannot be known in advance which of the 15 players in the ODI Squad for England and Ireland will have heavy loads and those who will not and would therefore benefit from playing some games on the Australia A tour. Also, there is an ICC World Twenty20 preparation camp in Australia in August. Those on the Australia A tour who are selected for the ICC World Twenty20 (and the ODIs and T20s against Pakistan immediately before this) will have to leave the A tour after one or two of the scheduled four games. Hence there will be a need for replacements and a degree of flexibility.

“The Australia A Squad has been selected with two factors very much in mind. The first is that good performances in the Australian summer have been recognised and rewarded, while keeping an ever open eye for younger players coming through. The second is a focus on the Ashes tour of 2013 and familiarising a number of our less experienced international players and back-up players with English conditions. The NSP has also been mindful of not overloading some players, not least David Warner and Matthew Wade. David Hussey has had considerable exposure to English grounds and conditions. These three were not considered for this A tour as they will have had plenty of cricket.

“The NSP is keen to accelerate the return to form of Tim Paine. Tim was impressive when he represented Australia in the various formats and he is recovering well from his injury. Michael Klinger’s sustained good performances over a number of seasons has been recognised and rewarded and he will open the innings with Ed Cowan. Jon Holland has been included as a promising young spin bowler as we attempt to expand our spin bowling stocks.

“Joe Burns is a young player who has shown consistency and all-round batsmanship and it is anticipated that this tour to England will provide for him some very valuable experience. Another to come on the scene recently is Jackson Bird, who bowled exceptionally well for Tasmania last summer. It is likely that he will be well suited to English conditions. The NSP also regards Liam Davis and Tom Cooper as exciting cricketers who deserve opportunities to impress at this level. The NSP is pleased to note that Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja will have extended periods in the English County set-up, together with other more established players. Mitchell Starc will have a stint with Yorkshire and this will give him further valuable experience.”

VB Tour of The British Isles – ODIs
15 June Australia ODI squad arrives England
21 June vs Leicestershire, Grace Road
23 June ODI vs Ireland, Stormont, Belfast
26 June vs Essex, Chelmsford
29 June ODI vs England, Lord’s
1 July ODI vs England, The Oval
4 July ODI vs England, Edgbaston
7 July ODI vs England, Durham
10 July ODI vs England, Old Trafford
11 July Australia ODI squad departs England

VB Tour of England – A team
17 July  Australia A assembles in England
27 July – 29 July  vs Derbyshire, County Ground Derby (three-day game)
1 August – 3 August  vs  Durham, Durham (three-day game)
7 August – 10 August vs England Lions, Old Trafford (four-day game)
14 August – 17 August vs England Lions, Edgbaston (four-day game)
18 August Australia A departs England