Clarke, 21, made centuries for New South Wales in successive interstate four-day matches against Queensland and South Australia in October.

The former Australia under-19 captain is considered a potential long-term replacement at Test level for his state team-mate Mark Waugh.

Waugh, 37, retired from Test cricket two weeks ago after he was replaced by 32-year-old South Australia captain Darren Lehmann in the side for the first Ashes Test.

Clarke joins an experienced batting line-up including Greg Blewett and Matthew Elliott, captain Jimmy Maher and Queenslander Martin Love.

The selection of Elliott and Blewett is significant as both batsmen have been out of Test cricket for almost three years.

Brad Haddin of New South Wales was given the wicketkeeping role, beating Queensland veteran Wade Seccombe and Tasmania's Sean Clingeleffer.

Notable omissions were NSW one-day specialist Michael Bevan and Test legspinner Stuart MacGill along with batting hopeful Simon Katich and Victoria's Brad Hodge.

West Australia opener Mike Hussey, who has an Australian Cricket Board contract, was also overlooked.

Australia A: Jimmy Maher (captain), Greg Blewett (vice-captain), Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Elliott, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Martin Love, Ashley Noffke, Marcus North, Brad Williams (12th man to be named).