Cricket: Rising star Sandhu to face India in tour match?

Australia's rising pace bowling star Gurinder Sandhu was Thursday selected to bowl at India's batsmen in their opening tour match later this month.

Australia's rising pace bowling star Gurinder Sandhu was Thursday selected to bowl at India's batsmen in their opening tour match later this month.

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The 21-year-old speedster, born in Australia to Indian parents, was chosen in a Cricket Australia XI squad for a pair of two-day matches against the tourists at Adelaide's Glenelg Oval on November 24-25.

Sandhu, the first player of Indian heritage to play for New South Wales, will spearhead the developmental XI's attack.

Sandhu, whose father emigrated from the Punjab more than 30 years ago, represented Australia A earlier this year.

Cricket Australia talent manager Greg Chappell said Sandhu has "performed consistently well at domestic level and under-age international level".

"He was very impressive in the two four-day matches against South Africa A in August this year and we expect that he will perform well against this high-quality team," Chappell said.

Sandhu last season won the Steve Waugh Medal as the New South Wales cricketer of the season.

CA XI - Ashton Turner (capt), Ryan Carters, Alex Gregory, Sam Grimwade, Sebastian Gotch, Josh Lalor, David Moody, Jonte Pattison, Gurinder Sandhu, Matthew Short, Kelvin Smith, Nick Stevens.