Test selectors have dumped Nathan Hauritz, but named uncapped fellow spinners Xavier Doherty and Steve Smith in a trimmed 13-man squad for next week's Ashes opener at the Gabba.
Hauritz paid the price for some modest recent form, with Tasmanian left-arm finger-spinner Doherty now looking a good chance to follow his recent one-day international debut with a Test debut against England at the Gabba, starting Thursday.
As well as naming two spinners in the 13, selectors also included four quicks - Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger.
Xavier Doherty has been named ahead of Nathan Hauritz in the 13-man squad for the first Vodafone Ashes Test against England in Brisbane beginning on Thursday.
Nathan Hauritz is one of these players omitted and he can consider himself unlucky as his Australian record has been very good over the past 12 months.
“Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Ryan Harris are the other three to miss out of the final squad.
"Callum and Usman are both wonderful young players who we believe will play a big role for Australian cricket moving forward but on this occasion the experienced middle order has been preferred.
“We felt Ryan Harris needed further time to recover from his knee injury and also believe the four fast bowlers we have selected are in good form and will be key weapons for us winning the Ashes Series this summer.”
The 13-man squad will gather in Brisbane on Sunday evening with a first training session scheduled at Allan Border Field on Monday morning.
Australia squad
Simon Katich
Shane Watson
Ricky Ponting (capt)
Michael Clarke
Michael Hussey
Marcus North
Brad Haddin (wk)
Steven Smith
Mitchell Johnson
Xavier Doherty
Peter Siddle
Ben Hilfenhaus
Doug Bollinger
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