Mitchell Marsh to play for Prime Minister's XI

The teenager Mitchell Marsh has been named in the Prime Minister's XI side to take on the West Indians in Canberra on February 4. Matthew Hayden will captain the side, which is mostly made up of promising state players who will be aiming for Australian selection over the next couple of years.

The inclusion of Marsh, 18, has confirmed the selectors are keeping a close eye on him following an excellent start to his domestic career and his naming as Australia's captain at the Under-19 World Cup. The squad also features Tim Paine, who has played 15 ODIs over the past six months, and the spinner Jon Holland, who was in Australia's one-day squad in India.

Other men who could be in line for Australian selection in the next few years include the Tasmanian batsman George Bailey, the South Australian fast bowler Peter George and the Victorian allrounder John Hastings. Players from Queensland and New South Wales were not considered as they meet for a one-day game the day before the match.

Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said the squad showed the depth of young talent in Australia. "The players in this squad have already shown great form in the interstate season and they now get a chance to prove themselves against a quality West Indies outfit," Hilditch said.

"George Bailey, Tom Cooper and Travis Birt are all in the top ten run scorers in the Ford Ranger Cup this season and all deserve this chance to play against the West Indies. Mitchell Marsh will take another step in his development following his debut with the Warriors in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash and captaining the Australian Under-19 team in the ICC World Cup."

Prime Minister's XI Matthew Hayden (capt), Tom Cooper, Travis Birt, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), John Hastings, James Pattinson, Ben Oakley, Jon Holland, Peter George, Jordan McLennan (12th man).