Cameron Boyce, the forgotten man of Australia's spin stocks, has been picked in a Cricket Australia XI that will face England Lions in three one-day matches.
Boyce, who played the most recent of his seven Twenty20s for Australia some four years ago, has been included in a 14-man squad for next week's tour games.
Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon remain the leading contenders to perform spin duties at this year's T20 World Cup, which is being hosted by Australia from October 18 until November 15.
But Boyce, fresh from claiming 14 wickets this BBL season, has a golden chance to remind selectors of his talent in an inexperienced team that will be captained by Will Pucovski.
"Cameron thoroughly deserves his opportunity after several good years in domestic 50-over and 20-over cricket, most recently with the Melbourne Renegades," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.
Pucovski, who has taken three mental-health breaks from the sport since the start of 2018-19, opted against taking part in the current BBL campaign.
The 21-year-old, who was close to making his Test debut in 2019, remains highly regard by Hohns' panel.
"It is pleasing to see Will Pucovski back in a national squad. Will has progressed well over the course of the summer and recently captained the Victorian second XI in a Twenty20 tournament," Hohns said.
"These three games are an invaluable opportunity for Will to gain more captaincy experience against quality opposition.
"The matches against the England Lions provide them all with an opportunity to impress national coaches and selectors as we look to plan ahead for the future."
England's A team will clash with the CA XI on February 2, 4 and 6 at Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium.
The tourists will later play three four-day matches, including an MCG clash with Australia A that starts on February 22.
The Lions' four-day squad includes Craig Overton and other players with Test experience.
CA XI: Will Pucovski (capt), Max Bryant, Caleb Jewell, Jake Lehmann, Alex Ross, Brad Hope, Jaron Morgan, Will Sutherland, Xavier Crone, Blake Edwards, Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Boyce, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge.
Australian Associated Press
