Australian Twenty20 And ODI Squads For South Africa Announced

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced the Australia squad that will contest two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals on the VB Tour of South Africa 2009.

The squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c) TAS
Michael Clark (vc) NSW
Nathan Bracken NSW
Callum Ferguson SA
Brett Geeves TAS
Brad Haddin NSW
Nathan Hauritz NSW
James Hopes QLD
David Hussey VIC
Michael Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson WA
Ben Laughlin QLD
Adam Voges WA
Cameron White VIC
David Warner NSW *
Shane Harwood VIC *

* David Warner and Shane Harwood will return to Australia after the two Twenty20 matches

Commenting on the squad, NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch, said:

“Both Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle are being rested from the South African one-day series as part of their workload management to prepare for their possible inclusion in key upcoming events which include the World Twenty20 and the Ashes.”

“Both Peter and Ben had significant injuries during the 2008 off season. Since returning to cricket they have had a demanding and heavy Australian season and will have completed three back-to-back Test matches in South Africa. The recommendation of the coaching and fitness staff was that they have time off now to allow them to recuperate and then commence a structured training program in ideal preparation potentially for the World Twenty20 and the Ashes.

“This recommendation is fully supported by the National Selection Panel as an appropriate strategy leading into key tournaments and in particular the Ashes.

“With this of course comes opportunity. Brett Geeves performed well in the Commonwealth Bank Series in Darwin against Bangladesh for Australia and has continued to perform well domestically. In addition to his bowling he is a potentially explosive batsmen and fielder and adds to the versatility of the one day side. It is a well deserved opportunity for Brett.

“We also take the opportunity to introduce Ben Laughlin to Australian cricket. Ben has had an extremely good summer for Queensland and was instrumental in their one-day final victory. Ben will add to the versatility of the Australian bowling line up as we continue to look at options progressing forward to the 2011 World Cup.

“David Warner has been added for the Twenty20 games only. He is an exciting player who has had a very strong domestic season in one-day and Twenty20 cricket and had a dynamic initial impact in Australian Twenty20 cricket.

“We have also rewarded Shane Harwood for a number of outstanding years in domestic cricket. He has consistently been one of the leading bowlers in one day and Twenty20 cricket. We want to take the opportunity to look at Shane as a possible option for the World Twenty20.

“It was not considered appropriate to rush Shaun Marsh back into one-day cricket for Australia. Shaun is recovering from a significant hamstring injury. He is recovering well, but further testing of hamstring strength is being undertaken and he has not been match tested at all. We would expect Shaun to be available for selection in the Pakistan one-day series.

“South Africa will be extremely competitive as always in one-day cricket and it will be a great test for the players to see where they are currently in both one day cricket and Twenty20 cricket. We look forward to a hard fought and entertaining series.”