Konstas, Kellaway, Patterson in CA XI squad for Bangladesh warm-up
Synopsis
Australia's Test fringe is on notice. The CA XI squad named for the Bangladesh warm-up puts Konstas, Kellaway, and a resurgent Patterson — who averaged over 700 Shield runs in back-to-back seasons after a six-year Test absence — in direct competition for places ahead of the Darwin two-Test series starting mid-August.
Key Takeaways
Sam Konstas , Campbell Kellaway , and Kurtis Patterson headline a 14-player CA XI squad for a Bangladesh warm-up beginning 6 August at Marrara Cricket Ground , Darwin.
The match is a 13-a-side contest and will not carry first-class status.
Kurtis Patterson , last capped in 2019 , has returned to contention with Shield seasons of 743 and 619 runs.
Corey Rocchiccioli leads the spin attack with 151 Shield wickets at 29.16 over the past five seasons.
A separate 12-player MRF Academy squad will train in Chennai for 13 days , with two two-day matches on spin-friendly pitches on 5-6 and 10-11 August .
The two-Test series opener is scheduled at Marrara Stadium , Darwin, one week after the warm-up concludes.
Sam Konstas, Campbell Kellaway, and Kurtis Patterson have been named in a 14-player Cricket Australia XI squad to face Bangladesh in a three-day red-ball warm-up fixture beginning 6 August at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin — one week before the two-Test series opener at the adjacent Marrara Stadium. Both sides have agreed to a 13-a-side format, meaning the match will not carry first-class status.
Key Selections and What They Signal
Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe joins Konstas and Patterson as the only players in the squad with senior international experience. Konstas featured in Australia's previous away series against West Indies before losing his spot to Jake Weatherald for the Ashes. Kellaway, 23, showed promise with one century and two fifties last season but averaged just 26.78 overall — a return selectors will want him to improve upon.
The pair previously opened together for Australia A in India, sharing stands of 198 and an unbroken 56 in the first unofficial Test against India A in Lucknow — form that kept both men in the frame.
Patterson's Remarkable Comeback
Patterson's inclusion is arguably the most compelling subplot. The batter, who last played Test cricket in 2019, has forced his way back into the selection conversation with back-to-back Sheffield Shield seasons of 743 and 619 runs respectively, after a period out of the New South Wales side during the 2023-24 summer. Consistent volume scoring at domestic level has made him difficult to ignore.
Emerging Names to Watch
Corey Rocchiccioli arrives as the standout spinning option, having claimed 151 wickets at 29.16 in Shield cricket across the past five seasons — the leading tally among spinners in that period. Campbell Thompson, Indian-born allrounder Jerrssis Wadia, and Sheffield Shield-winning batter Teague Wyllie — who has switched states to Tasmania to revive his career — round out the developmental tier of the selection.
Former Australian coach Tim Nielsen will head the CA XI dugout, with South Australia's Steven Crook serving as his assistant.
MRF Academy Development Camp
Separately, young spinner Joel Davies will join a 13-day training camp at the MRF Academy in Chennai, aimed at building subcontinent experience. He will be accompanied by Doug Warren and Aryan Sharma as selectors look to deepen their spinning stocks behind Matt Kuhnemann, according to cricket.com.au. Raf Macmillan, Lloyd Pope, and Jack Sinfield are also part of the 12-player touring group, which will be mentored by Australia A coach Tim Paine and Anthony Clark.
The development squad will train alongside local players and participate in two two-day matches scheduled for 5-6 August and 10-11 August on spin-friendly surfaces — a deliberate preparation for the conditions Bangladesh are likely to offer.
Full Squads
Cricket Australia XI: Campbell Kellaway, Campbell Thompson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Hanno Jacobs, Jake Doran, Jerrssis Wadia, Josh Philippe, Kurtis Patterson, Sam Konstas, Teague Wyllie, Tom Menzies, Tom Rogers, Xavier Crone, Noah McFadyen.
CA MRF Academy Development Squad: Aryan Sharma, Doug Warren, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Sinfield, Jason Sangha, Jayden Goodwin, Joel Davies, Lloyd Pope, Matt Gilkes, Rafael MacMillan, Riley Kingsell, Steven Hogan.
With the two-Test series less than a month away, the warm-up fixture will be a critical audition for fringe players hoping to press their case for a spot in Australia's final Test XI.
Point of View
Typically more pace-friendly than the subcontinent, will flatter or expose the top order fringe. Rocchiccioli's five-season dominance in Shield spin has gone largely unrewarded at representative level; this is a late but necessary look. The 13-a-side, non-first-class format is a pragmatic compromise, but it does dilute the competitive value of the fixture for players genuinely on the Test bubble.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been named in the Cricket Australia XI squad for the Bangladesh warm-up?
The 14-player CA XI squad includes Sam Konstas, Campbell Kellaway, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Teague Wyllie, Jerrssis Wadia, Campbell Thompson, and others. The three-day red-ball fixture begins on 6 August at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin.
When and where is the Australia vs Bangladesh warm-up match?
The warm-up match is a three-day red-ball fixture starting 6 August at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin — one week before the two-Test series opener at the adjacent Marrara Stadium. Both sides agreed to a 13-a-side format, so it will not have first-class status.
Why is Kurtis Patterson's selection significant?
Patterson last played Test cricket in 2019 and spent time out of the New South Wales side during the 2023-24 summer. He has since forced his way back into the selection conversation with back-to-back Sheffield Shield seasons of 743 and 619 runs respectively.
What is the CA MRF Academy Development Camp?
It is a 13-day training camp at the MRF Academy in Chennai, designed to build subcontinent experience for emerging players. Joel Davies, Doug Warren, and Aryan Sharma are among the 12-player group, which will also play two two-day matches on spin-friendly pitches on 5-6 and 10-11 August.
Who will coach the Cricket Australia XI in the Bangladesh warm-up?
Former Australian coach Tim Nielsen will lead the CA XI, with South Australia's Steven Crook as his assistant. The separate MRF Academy development squad will be mentored by Australia A coach Tim Paine and Anthony Clark.
