Australia A India tour squad: Handscomb, Doggett, Richardson in; Labuschagne out
Synopsis
Australia A have named a Border-Gavaskar Trophy audition squad for India, handing 35-year-old Peter Handscomb a rare recall and bringing back Jhye Richardson from injury. The bigger talking point: Marnus Labuschagne has been left out entirely — a selection signal that will not go unnoticed ahead of next year's series.
Key Takeaways
Peter Handscomb , 35 , returns to the Australia A four-day squad for the first time since the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy .
Marnus Labuschagne and Kurtis Patterson are notable absentees from both squads.
Jhye Richardson is included after returning to first-class cricket following multiple shoulder surgeries.
The tour features four-day matches in Puducherry followed by three 50-over games .
Nine players return from last year's Australia A four-day matches in Lucknow , including Murphy, Konstas, and McSweeney.
Selection chief George Bailey confirmed the squad reflects players in contention for next year's India tour.
Peter Handscomb has been recalled to the Australia A squad for their upcoming tour of India, with pace bowlers Brendan Doggett and Jhye Richardson also named as Australia look to assess their red-ball options ahead of next year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. Notably, Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of the touring party.
Tour Structure and Schedule
Australia A will travel to Puducherry later this month for the four-day leg of the tour, followed by three 50-over matches. The tour serves as a key audition platform for players seeking places in Australia's senior squad for the forthcoming India series.
Handscomb's Recall and What It Means
At 35, Handscomb is the oldest and most experienced player in the four-day squad. The right-handed batter has not represented Australia at international level or featured for Australia A since playing all four Tests of Australia's 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India. With Australia set to return to the subcontinent in the coming months, this tour offers Handscomb a timely opportunity to press his case for a Baggy Green recall.
Pace Options Under Assessment
Doggett and Richardson are expected to draw close attention as selectors evaluate fast-bowling depth for subcontinental conditions. Richardson, in particular, has made a notable comeback to first-class cricket following several major shoulder surgeries. Nine players — including Todd Murphy, Sam Konstas, and Nathan McSweeney — return from last year's Australia A four-day matches in Lucknow, bringing continuity to the red-ball group.
One-Day Squad Highlights
Young quick Mahli Beardman headlines the one-day squad alongside Spencer Johnson. Beardman is continuing a carefully managed recovery from back stress issues but has already shown promise in white-ball cricket, including a two-wicket haul on his T20I debut against Pakistan in Lahore in March. Wicketkeeper Sam Harper earns his place after a breakout domestic season, while Jason Sangha also joins the group. Kurtis Patterson is a notable absentee from the squads.
What the Selectors Said
Selection chief George Bailey underscored the strategic importance of the tour. 'We consider these tours an important part of performance and developing game styles in subcontinent conditions as part of our continued investment into the Australia A program,' Bailey said. He added: 'It's a strong representation of players who will be in contention to be part of the group we take to India next year or see as having potential for further opportunities into the future.'
Full Squads
Australia A four-day squad: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott.
Australia A one-day squad: Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw.
All eyes will now be on how these players perform in Indian conditions, with Border-Gavaskar Trophy selection implications hanging over every session.
Point of View
And that ambiguity will fuel speculation. Meanwhile, Handscomb's recall at 35 signals that Australia's middle-order depth for subcontinental conditions remains thinner than they would like. Richardson's inclusion is the genuinely positive story: a talented quick who has fought back from serious injury, now being given structured red-ball exposure in the conditions that matter most.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been named in Australia A's squad for the India tour?
Australia A's four-day squad includes Peter Handscomb, Brendan Doggett, Jhye Richardson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Sam Harper, Jason Sangha, and others. The one-day squad features Mahli Beardman, Spencer Johnson, and several crossover players from the four-day group.
Why has Marnus Labuschagne been left out of the Australia A squad?
Marnus Labuschagne has not been selected for either the four-day or one-day squads, though no official reason has been provided by Cricket Australia. His omission is notable given the tour's explicit purpose of preparing players for the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in India.
What is the significance of this Australia A tour of India?
The tour is a direct audition for Australia's senior squad ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India. Selection chief George Bailey confirmed the squad includes players in contention for next year's India tour and those identified as future prospects.
Where will Australia A play their matches in India?
Australia A will play their four-day matches in Puducherry before moving on to three 50-over fixtures. The venues for the one-day matches have not been specified in the squad announcement.
Why is Jhye Richardson's inclusion significant?
Jhye Richardson has returned to first-class cricket after undergoing several major shoulder surgeries. His inclusion in the Australia A squad signals that selectors are monitoring his fitness and form closely as a pace option for subcontinental conditions ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
