Poor form in the Ashes cricket series has cost batsman Damien Martyn and fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz places in the Australian squad for a one-off Super test against the Rest of the World XI here next month.
Australian selectors yesterday announced a 13-man squad for the Oct. 14-19 test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground and a 14-man squad for three limited-overs internationals against the World XI in Melbourne on Oct. 5, Oct. 7 and Oct. 9.
Allrounder Shane Watson was drafted into the test squad, while Brad Hodge and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who both toured England with Australia but didn't play an Ashes test, were also included.
No. 1-ranked Australia went down 2-1 to England, losing the Ashes for the first time since 1986-'87.
"We consider it is time to make some adjustments to the batting lineup after some disappointing results in England," said Trevor Hohns, Australia's chairman of selectors. "We expect that all three players who have not been selected, will go back to state cricket and get back to the sort of form they where in 12 months ago."
Hohns said adding an allrounder like Watson gave the squad more flexibility.
"We can choose to play two spinners if the pitch looks like it will offer them something, or we can play four bowlers with Watson providing a fifth option," he said.
Gillespie and Kasprowicz were dropped during the Ashes series and didn't figure in either of the Australian squads to face the World XI.
Martyn scored six 1,353 test runs last year, including six centuries, but struggled in England, averaging under 20 and recording only one half century.
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