Emerging NSW Blues rookie, Joel Davies, has been named by the National Selection Panel alongside seven other elite male cricketers to attend the MRF Academy in India this August.
Davies one of eight Australians bound for MRF Academy, Chennai
A product of the Manly Warringah District Cricket Club, Davies will be given the opportunity to hone his skills in unique sub-continent conditions, where the schedule combines match play with intense training set-ups.
Davies, who captained the Australian Under 19 team last summer, will be the youngest traveller amongst the group that consists of experienced First-Class and List-A cricketers.
The players to attend from August 7-18 are:
Joel Davies (NSW – Manly Warringah District Cricket Club)
Tim Ward (TAS – University of Tasmania Cricket Club)
Will Sutherland (VIC – Prahran Cricket Club)
Campbell Kellaway (VIC – Melbourne Cricket Club)
Nathan McSweeney (SA – Glenelg Cricket Club)
Sam Harper (VIC – Melbourne Cricket Club)
Cooper Connolly (WA – Scarborough Cricket Club)
Corey Rocchiccioli (WA – University Cricket Club)
Player and coaching exchanges between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia have been in place for almost 20 years, with current Test players Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey some of those to have previously toured.
Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia Head of National Development, said:
“We’re delighted to continue the partnership with the MRF Academy and offer some of our best young players the opportunity to be exposed to such a unique experience.
"Training tours such as this are vital to help ensure players continually develop their skills and are fully prepared for whatever conditions they might face throughout their careers."