Cricket Australia XI

The Cricket Australia XI is a team of talented young cricketers that was formed by Cricket Australia in 2015 to give opportunities to young players who are on the fringe of selection for their state teams. The addition of the Cricket Australia XI to Australia's List A Matador BBQs One-Day Cup expanded the competition to seven teams.

Other teams under the name Cricket Australia XI regularly play matches against touring Test teams.

Announcing the formation of the team in May 2015, Cricket Australia's team performance manager Pat Howard said, "We know we've got the talent and we want to be able to expose these players to more high-pressure game time to help the states and to help the overall national cause."

The team was selected from those young players who were not included in any of the six state squads for the 2015–16 competition. Cricket Australia's national talent manager Greg Chappell said he was confident the side would be competitive against the state teams.

Cricket Australia XI were overwhelmed in their first two matches of the 2015-16 Matador Cup. In the first, New South Wales scored 3 for 338 then dismissed Cricket Australia XI for 59. Eight of the team were playing their first List A match. In the second match, Victoria dismissed Cricket Australia XI for 79 and made 1 for 81 in 11.1 overs. In their third match, however, Cricket Australia XI scored 7 for 241 and restricted Tasmania to 9 for 238, winning by three runs. Marcus Harris, who scored 84 from 94 balls, won the man of the match award. They again lost heavily in their fourth match, when Western Australia made 5 for 347 and dismissed them for 101. In their fifth match they replied to Queensland's 7 for 282 with 248 all out, Hilton Cartwright scoring 99 off 96 balls and winning the man of the match award. In their sixth and final match South Australia made 5 for 244 and dismissed Cricket Australia XI for 168.

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