 Bevan is considered one of the finest one-day batsmen in cricket |
Key middle-order batsman Michael Bevan has shaken off his injury problems to return to Australia's one-day squad for this month's tour of Sri Lanka. Bevan returns after missing the end of the VB series against India and Zimbabwe with a fractured rib.
There are only two additions to the 13-man party that won the VB Series final with 26-year-old reserve wicket- keeper Brad Haddin also included.
As expected, Glenn McGrath was left out because of his injured ankle.
Instead, veteran seam bowler Mike Kasprowicz earned a place on the tour at the expense of another bowler with more experience in recent years, Andy Bichel.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said: "Despite not playing during the two VB Series finals, Kasprowicz is a proven performer on sub-continental wickets.
"His performance over a long period of time has been first-rate."
Shane Warne, who can return to competitive cricket on Tuesday after serving his one-year ban for using illegal drugs, has not been named in the squad either.
He is expected to return to domestic action on Tuesday, with the hope of being named in the Test squad on 20 February.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Michael Bevan, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Brad Haddin, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams.
MMIX
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