Boland, Anderson set to feature in Prime Minister's XI tour match v India

Jarred Cross Published November 29, 2024 at 1.00pm (AWST)

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Beginning Saturday, Scott Boland will lead the Prime Minister's XI attack against India in Canberra. (Image: James Ross/AAP)

Ashes hero Scott Boland and burgeoning seamer Charlie Anderson are set to lead the Prime Minister's XI attack against India in Canberra, starting Saturday.

The two-day, day-night tour match presents Boland the chance with the pink ball ahead of the second Test of the summer in Adelaide, and opportunity for 19-year-old Kamilaroi talent Anderson to take on established members of the international cricket powerhouse.

The PM XI features a mix of established and previous international players with domestic regulars and rising prodigies from across the country.

While there's no disruption concerns among Australia's regular pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins following their heavy defeat to India in Perth, Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster has been brought into the squad as cover for a "sore" Mitch Marsh.

Boland has held his place in the squad for Adelaide after sitting on the sidelines in the West, after featuring for Australia A against India A at the start of November.

"We are utilising the opportunity to maintain Scott Boland's match fitness in his preparations as part of the Test squad," chief selector George Bailey said last week.

19-year-old Charlie Anderson has been selected in the Prime Minister's XI after taking 3-37 on debut for New South Wales last month. (Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Anderson has been named among a crop of Australia's emerging talent, including his under 19 World Cup winning teammates Mahli Beardman, Aidan O'Connor and Sam Konstas, who had been in the running for the vacant opening spot before selectors sided with Nathan McSweeney.

At 19, Anderson impressed with figures of 3-37 on List A debut for NSW in the One-Day Cup against Victoria late last month.

The match also put him side-to-side with Test captain Pat Cummins.

He and Boland's inclusion makes a rare occasion of two Indigenous players featuring for an Australian representative outfit against international opposition.

The Prime Minister's XI face India at Manuka Oval from Saturday.

Prime Minister's XI squad to play India

Jack Edwards (c), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O'Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan.