 Batsman Voges' wedding date was set a year ago |
Batsman Adam Voges has pulled out of the Australia squad for the one-day and Twenty20 games with South Africa as they clash with his wedding schedule. Voges, who has played in four limited overs games for Australia, said he knew he may not necessarily get picked again but was happy with his decision. "I spoke to coach Tim Nielsen and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch - they were both supportive," he said. His place goes to Marcus North - who was invited to the wedding on 5 April.  | 606: DEBATE |
South Africa and Australia will play two Twenty20 matches in Johannesburg and Centurion on 27 and 29 March, before starting a five-match limited overs series on 3 April. Voges asked for permission to fly home from the tour when he realised the ceremony, which was arranged a year ago, was on the same day as the second one-dayer but Hilditch said it was impractical. "This would have rendered him unavailable for at least one, if not two, one-day internationals of the five match series," he stated. "Given the risk of injury in Adam's absence, which could have left the Australian squad one batsman short for the tour, the selectors weren't able to meet that request." However, North's promotion could delay his arrival in England to join county side Hampshire for the new season. One new face in the squad for the trip to South Africa Australia is uncapped pace bowler Ben Laughlin. The 26-year-old has been given his chance, along with Brett Geeves, so Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus can take a break following the Test series. Laughlin, whose father Trevor appeared for Australia in the 1970s, has only played three first-class games. Hilditch said: "Ben has had an extremely good summer for Queensland. "Ben will add to the versatility of the Australian bowling line-up as we continue to look at options progressing forward to the 2011 World Cup." Geeves, also 26, made his debut against Bangladesh in 2008 and he is already in South Africa, having flown in at the start of the month to provide injury cover. Explaining the decision to send Siddle and Hilfenhaus home, Hilditch said it was a case of "workload management". He added: "Both Peter and Ben had significant injuries during the 2008 off-season. Since returning to cricket they have had a demanding and heavy Australian season and will have completed three back-to-back Test matches in South Africa. "The recommendation of the coaching and fitness staff was that they have time off now to allow them to recuperate and then commence a structured training program in ideal preparation potentially for the World Twenty20 and the Ashes." The squad relies heavily on those players who took on New Zealand in February, with South Australia batsman Callum Ferguson, 24, given another chance after making an unbeaten 55 off 35 balls against the Kiwis in Brisbane. One notable absentee, however, is opening batsman Shaun Marsh, who is still recovering from a hamstring problem.
Revised Australia squad: R Ponting (capt), M Clarke, N Bracken, C Ferguson, B Geeves, B Haddin, N Hauritz, J Hopes, D Hussey, M Hussey, M Johnson, B Laughlin, M North, C White, D Warner*, S Harwood*. *Warner and Harwood will only play in the Twenty20 matches.
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