KYLE Gardner has been named in a “ruthless” WA XI side set to face England in a special two-day tour match at the WACA Ground this weekend.
The 20-year-old former Rockingham-Mandurah leg spinner will get another taste of top-level international cricket after he was named in the 12-man team set to take on England’s Ashes squad ahead of the first Test match in Brisbane later this month.
Gardner, who now plays for Perth WACA Premier Cricket, is in his third season with WA after initially securing a rookie contract in 2015-16.
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READ NOWHe was also selected in last year’s CA XI team that played South Africa in a two-day warm-up match at Adelaide Oval.
Perth Scorcher and Australian one-day player Nathan Coulter-Nile will captain the side.
Western Warriors assistant coach Stewart Walters said the team was aiming to be the first Australian victory over the English this summer.
“We’re going to really test this English team out,” he said.
“We’re going in to win the game and hopefully make sure they start their Ashes campaign off on the wrong foot.
“Justin Langer has been driving home to all of the WA players that we need to be ruthless; it’s one of our core values and the guys who play in this tour game will be no different.
“To play an international cricket team at this time of the season is a great opportunity for our guys to get exposure to a quality opponent.”
The WA XI takes on England at the WACA Ground on November 4 and 5.
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