Michael Hussey is set to be denied a farewell appearance on the one-day international stage after being left out of Australia's squad to face Sri Lanka in the upcoming five-match series.
Hussey announced last month that he would retire at the end of the Australian summer and is in the midst of playing his final Test against Sri Lanka at the SCG.
He has been omitted from the squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka beginning in Melbourne on Friday, with the National Selection Panel (NSP) citing the need to blood players for the 2015 World Cup.
It is also unlikely Hussey will be considered for the series against West Indies that follows the five matches against Sri Lanka.
NSP chairman John Inverarity says there was little room for sentiment when deciding whether Hussey would be afforded a farewell in the one-day arena.
"Our intention before two weeks ago was to give Michael a break during the Sri Lankan series and have him refreshed and ready to come back in the ODIs for the West Indies and then off the India," he said.
"Of course things changed last week we've talked it over with Mike but the overriding fact is what is best for Australian cricket and we move forward and we are very mindful of the 2015 World Cup."
Australia captain Michael Clarke will be rested from the opening two-matches of the series, so as to allow him time to recover from his niggling hamstring injury.
George Bailey has been named captain in place of Clarke, while David Warner and Matthew Wade are among those also left out of the 13-man squad as part of the resting policy.
Injured duo Shane Watson and James Pattinson were also not considered for the matches at the MCG (January 11) and Adelaide Oval (January 13).
Brad Haddin has been named as wicketkeeper in place of Wade, although Inverarity denies there are concerns about Wade's glove work behind the stumps.
Inverarity says Wade is "keeping well" but he did concede there is scope for improvement.
"He's a very talented cricketer, a very talented keeper and batsman," he said.
"He's young and we think he will get better and better and this has been the history of Australian cricket."
Queensland paceman Ben Cutting is set to make his one-day international debut after being included in the squad, while Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja have also been named.
Meanwhile, Dean Jones has been added to the coaching staff for the opening two matches to work as batting coach.
Stuart Law had been holding the position on a temporary basis following the recent resignation of Justin Langer but has decided to return to his role as high performance coach at the Centre of Excellence.
Australia squad:
George Bailey (captain), Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
Tags: cricket, sport, australia First posted January 06, 2013 09:16:02
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