NATHAN Hauritz has been given the chance to cement his spot before the World Twenty20 after being added to Australia’s 15-man squad for the two games in New Zealand next week.
Hauritz has become the No.1 slow bowler in Tests and ODIs but has not been picked for any of the short-form encounters at home.
The selectors were keen to see how the leg-spinner Steven Smith would perform against Pakistan and Hauritz has been rested from the contests against West Indies today and Tuesday.
“With the important role spin plays in Twenty20 cricket, Nathan deserves the chance to try and establish himself in Australia’s Twenty20 side ahead of the World Twenty20,” Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said.
While Hauritz can fine-tune for the tournament in the West Indies in April and May, Michael Hussey’s international Twenty20 career in the format appears over after he was left out.
His brother David is in the squad along with Cameron White, Travis Birt and Smith, who doubles as a hard-hitting batsman and could be competing with Hauritz for the spinner’s role at the World Twenty20.
“I’ve got the next two Twenty20s coming up against West Indies and the two Twenty20s in New Zealand,” Smith said. “I’m going to be looking to put the best performances up possible and if I get a chance to be part of the World Twenty20 tournament that would be outstanding.”
The one-day side will play five games next month before the two-Test series and the selectors have been loyal to the squad that has been so successful over the past 10 months. There are no surprises in the 14-man outfit that will be led by Ricky Ponting.
Twenty20 squad: David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt.), Cameron White, David Hussey, Travis Birt, Brad Haddin (wkp.), Steven Smith, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait.
ODI squad: Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt.), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Adam Voges, Brad Haddin (wkp.), James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.
Tour schedule:
February 26, 1st T20, Wellington
February 28, 2nd T20, Christchurch
March 3, 1st ODI, Napier
March 6, 2nd ODI, Auckland
March 9, 3rd ODI, Hamilton
March 11, 4th ODI, Wellington
March 13, 5th ODI, Wellington
March 19–23, 1st Test, Wellington
March 27-31, 2nd Test, Hamilton
(Cricinfo)