The 28-year-old will get some valuable red-ball time in his quest to cement his place as Australia's first drop after yesterday being selected in the A squad for its winter series in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

``It's going to be a big series for me and my confidence,'' Doolan told  The Examiner .

``I'm at the stage of my career now where I need to be impressing every time I go out to bat, and making sure people are still talking about me in a positive light in regards to my cricket.

``There will be pressure on me, from myself especially, and I'll be looking to make big runs -  there's no doubt about that.''

The 28-year old's selection, which is likely to see him play up to two four-day games each against India A and South Africa A, allows him time in the middle ahead of Australia's next Test engagement, against Pakistan in the UAE  in October.

Doolan, who said he wasn't surprised to miss out on a Cricket Australia contract last week, played three Tests against South Africa earlier in the year, scoring 186 runs at 31, and averages 37.11 from 57 first-class matches.

Fellow former Launceston cricketer James Faulkner was also named in the preliminary 21-man squad, with the series to  feature a quadrangular 50-over series between the three nations and Cricket Australia's national performance squad.  

Faulkner, 23, was unable to add to his one Test match this summer and has played just six international matches since the Indian one-day series due to those duties and injury.

However, he is being looked upon by selectors for his potential as Shane Watson's eventual replacement as Australia's long-term Test all-rounder.

Tasmanian-born wicketkeepers Tim Paine and Matthew Wade were overlooked for the gloveman role, with national selector John Inverarity saying they have ``considerable international experience and are well regarded known quantities''. The team will be coached by Tasmania's Michael Di Venuto, Australia's batting coach, with Ashes hero Ryan Harris his assistant.

Tasmania's Sam Rainbird, Jordan Silk and Sean Willis have been selected in the performance squad.

The first match, against India A, will be at Allan Border Field on July 6-9.

AUSTRALIA A SQUAD:  Jason Behrendorff (WA), Cameron Boyce (QLD), Tom Cooper (SA), Pat Cummins (NSW), Ben Cutting (QLD), Alex Doolan (TAS), James Faulkner (TAS), Callum Ferguson (SA), Peter Forrest (QLD), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Moises Henriques (NSW), Phillip Hughes (SA), Chris Lynn (QLD), Mitchell Marsh (WA), Peter Nevill (NSW), Steve O'Keefe (NSW), Kane Richardson (SA), Chadd Sayers (SA), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Cameron White (VIC), Sam Whiteman (WA).