Voges celebrates a century against NSW in November

Damien Martyn retired from all forms of cricket on Friday and was replaced by another Western Australian batsman, uncapped 27-year-old Adam Voges.

Combative all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who played the last of his 10 Tests in April, came in for paceman Shaun Tait.

Batsman Phil Jaques has been overlooked despite superb form this year both for New South Wales and Worcestershire.

Shane Watson remains sidelined by a hamstring injury but is expected to return for the Boxing Day Test.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said there were a number of players vying to fill the void created by Martyn's retirement.

"It's given us an opportunity to look at some of the fantastic young players who are emerging in Australia at the present time," he said.

"We are excited to give Adam this opportunity to join the squad.

"He is an outstanding young player who performed exceptionally well at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence and has had a fantastic start to the domestic season."

Voges has scored more than 1,400 runs at an average of 44 since making his first-class debut in 2002-03.

He has made scores of 152 not out and 144 not out against Tasmania and New South Wales this season but his selection ahead of the likes of Jaques, Chris Rogers and Marcus North is a surprise.

Voges was playing in the match between a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI and ECB XI at Lilac Hill when he heard of his call-up from Western Australia Cricket Association chief executive Tony Dodemaide.

"I was in the field, out on the boundary and Tony tapped me on the shoulder and said 'you've been substituted'.

"I thought I was in trouble, [then] I had a phone call saying I was in the 13. It has all happened pretty quickly and been pretty amazing," he said.

He made 71 in that match.

Voges paid tribute to Martyn, saying: "I've played a fait bit with Marto and he's been fantastic for me and my development. It's a shame his career has come to an end, but it has presented an opportunity [to me]."

He will face competition from Symonds, however, for a place in the final XI in Perth.

Symonds has a modest Test record despite five centuries and 20 fifties, plus 118 wickets, in 154 one-day internationals, but he would fill the all-rounder role which the selectors earmarked for Shane Watson prior to the series.

Watson has been unable to play because of a hamstring problem but is hoping to return to action in time for the fourth Test in Melbourne.

The Australians hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series, having won both opening Tests comprehensively in their quest to regain the Ashes at the first time of asking.