Cricket Australia names Under-19 squad including Neel Patel

Cricket Australia has selected a 16-player Under-19 men's squad for a multi-format tour of India next month, featuring a blend of emerging talent including Indian-origin opening batter Neel Patel. The tour, an important part of the national pathway program, will see the young Australian side play three one-day matches and two four-day Youth Tests against their Indian counterparts in Rajkot and Ahmedabad.

The squad was announced on August 3, 2026, by Cricket Australia's Youth National Selection Panel. The tour is scheduled to begin in September, with the one-day series to be held in Rajkot. The teams will then move to Ahmedabad for the two four-day matches. The itinerary is designed to provide comprehensive experience in subcontinental conditions across both white-ball and red-ball cricket.

Queensland provides the most players in the squad with five representatives, while New South Wales and Victoria have three each. The selection includes only two players from Australia's recent ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign, indicating a focus on broader development. The team will be led by head coach Tim Nielsen, the former Australian wicketkeeper, who brings extensive coaching experience to...