HOBART, Aug 23: Luke Butterworth’s breakthrough 2007 has continued after he and Shane Harwood were added to the Australia ‘A’ squad to tour Pakistan next month.

Andrew McDonald, who was in the 14-man group, has a shoulder injury and a replacement was also needed for Ben Hilfenhaus.

Butterworth, 23, played his first five Pura Cup matches for Tasmania last season and his composure in the final drew the attention of the national selectors.

He was the Man of the Match in the defeat of New South Wales, scoring 66 and 106 under pressure and chipping in with 4 for 33 with his right-arm medium bowling.

His overseas experience will come at the expense of the Victorian all-rounder McDonald, who is recovering from major surgery to his right shoulder.

The news was better for McDonald’s team-mate Harwood, who remains in Australia’s plans despite being 33 and having had a string of injuries in the past three years.

Harwood, who made his Twenty20 international debut against England in January, should be an important part of Australia ‘A’ attack as one of only three genuine pace bowlers in the squad.

Doug Bollinger and Ashley Noffke are the other strike bowlers, with Butterworth and James Hopes providing variety in a group that also boasts four spinners.

The series begins at Lahore on Sept 5 with the first of three one-day games against Pakistan ‘A’. Two four-day matches follow at Faisalabad and Lahore, beginning on Sept 12 and Sept 19. —Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...