Sports

Clarke to coach Australian Prime Minister`s XI against Sri Lanka

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke will take his first step into coaching when he guides the Prime Minister`s XI squad against Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 clash in Canberra.In a summer which has already seen former Test stars Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie join the Australian Twenty20 side as coaches, Clarke is the latest big name to join the Australian set up.Clarke retired from playing after the losing 2015 Ashes series and has spent the past summer playing grade cricket in Sydney and commentating for Channel Nine.The veteran of 115 Tests had said in November he had also been offered the captaincy of the PM XI`s side for the February 15 match but has since opted to just coach. He also said he didn`t have any ambitions to coach on a full-time basis.He will lead a squad to be captained by former Test batsman Adam Voges which also includes former Test opener Joe Burns, veteran batsman George Bailey and former Australian spearhead James Pattinson, who is being nursed back to full fitness after back stress fractures.National selector and talent manager Greg Chappell said the Australian squad had an ideal blend."It`s really pleasing to have a good blend of established players with international experience and some of the country`s brightest young talent representing the Prime Minister`s XI for this year`s match against Sri Lanka," Chappell said."Adam Voges as captain will provide a wealth of experience, having played 20 Test matches and captained the Perth Scorchers to the recent Big Bash League title, as will George Bailey and Joe Burns, who have represented Australia in ODI and Test cricket respectively this summer."James Pattinson is working his way back from injury and he`s a player of significant interest to the national selection panel. This match is an opportunity to get him back into some competitive cricket. Daniel Worrall is also coming back from injury, and this is a chance for him to step up his preparation for the back-end of the season."NSW batsman Jason Sangha, 17, and teammate, 18-year-old spinner Arjun Nair, along with Victoria`s Will Pucovski - who made his Sheffield Shield debut this week and broke the runs record at the under-19 national championships in December - were also included."It`s part of the pick-and-stretch policy we have with our young players, to keep exposing them to more challenges at the highest level possible, to help them develop their skills," Chappell said."We believe that playing against a touring team and sharing the dressing room with some players that have represented their country is a great learning opportunity for these young players."PM`s XI squad: Adam Voges (c), George Bailey, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Arjun Nair, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, D`Arcy Short, Henry Thornton, Daniel Worrall, Matthew Gikes (12th man).Source: The Age