Fifteen of Australia's most promising young cricketers have been chosen to be part of the elite 2006 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) men's program at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence (CBCE).
The program aims to develop young Australian cricketers in a bid to service the short, medium and long term needs of the Australian men's cricket team.
Nominated by the States and handpicked by the National Selection Panel (NSP), the 15 players are: Doug Bollinger (NSW) Daniel Doran (Qld), Cullen Bailey (SA), Callum Ferguson (SA), George Bailey (Tas), Ben Hilfenhaus, (Tas), Tim Paine (Tas), Adam Crosthwaite (Vic), Aaron Finch (Vic), Peter Siddle (Vic), Beau Casson (WA) , Brett Dorey (WA), Ben Edmondson (WA), Shaun Marsh (WA), Adam Voges (WA).
The 15 'scholars' will attend an 18-week development program beginning in Brisbane next month under the watchful eye of CBCE head coach Tim Nielsen and his team of coaches including Jamie Siddons, Dene Hills, Brian McFadyen and newly appointed fast bowling coach Troy Cooley.
The training program will include a tournament with other International academies from South Africa, New Zealand and India in July, and will then be followed by a three-week international tour in late August/September.
Commenting on the selected intake, NSP Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns said:
?We have chosen 15 players based on a squad-type situation which will become particularly important when the scholars embark on the international tour later in the year."
?As such we have tried to select a balanced squad of players to cover all facets of the game, and within that we have selected a blend of young players, along with others who have played some first-class cricket."
?It?s important to note we also had some other players in the picture for this year?s intake, including the likes of Dan Cullen, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, and Mark Cosgrove."
?They have committed to county contracts in England and while it would have been good to have them participate in the full program, they will still benefit from playing overseas and are welcome to join parts of the AIS program at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence at any time.?
AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker said he was proud of the significant role the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence, and the Cricket Academy before it, had made to the success of Australian cricket.
?Watching young cricketers develop and reach new heights is very exciting, and to know that the Centre of Excellence has played a major part in that development is a tremendous reflection of the program's success,? Professor Fricker said.
?The Centre of Excellence provides the perfect catalyst in uniting Australia's young talent through a recognised national development structure.?
Bit surpised Henquries was overlooked cause I don't think Aaron Finch has played that many games and Peter Siddle hasn't played too many either. Other thing to note is only one NSW player was picked, is this the end of the baggy blues? 
