Quiney in for Clarke
Victorian batsman Rob Quiney is in line to make his international debut after a back injury forced Michael Clarke out of Sunday's Twenty20 match against New Zealand at the SCG.
With the team due to fly out to South Africa on Monday, selectors, on the advice of team physio Alex Kountouris, decided to err on the side of caution with Clarke, who has experienced back pain since Tuesday's match in Adelaide.
Following the decision to rest Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, Clarke's absence paves the way for Brad Haddin to captain his country for the first time, while Cameron White will be his deputy.
Also missing from Sunday's clash will be pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson, who has a niggling ankle injury.
Johnson is expected to be fit for Australia's tour-opener against South Africa A starting next Friday in Potchefstroom.
The withdrawals of Clarke and Johnson have left Australia with a 12-man squad.
"It's unfortunate that Michael Clarke has been forced to miss the game due to injury," said National Selection Panel chairman Andrew Hilditch.
"Given the side leaves for South Africa the morning after the game in Sydney, there was really no alternative but to take a conservative approach to management of this minor injury."
"Mitchell has not been replaced in the squad as we consider a squad of 12 for the game is adequate given the bowling strength available within the group."
Quiney, who made a run-a-ball 50 in Victoria's Ford Ranger Cup win over New South Wales, was stunned to learn of his promotion.
Despite thrashing 91 off 56 balls in the final of the Twenty20 Big Bash last month, Quiney did not believe he was ready for the step up to international cricket.
"I'm trying to cement my spot in this side and be more productive so when the likes of (Brad) Hodge, (David) Hussey and (Cameron) White aren't playing the team can rely on me to make runs," he said.
"That's my goal at the moment and unfortunately I missed out the last couple of games but it's good to get a start tonight."
But team-mate Chris Rogers disagreed, saying his selection was thoroughly deserved.
"I'm a big fan of Bobby. I can't see why he's not in the squad for one-day cricket for Australia," he said. "He's shown how good he's been all season."
Australia: Brad Haddin (c), Cameron White (vc), Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Moises Henriques, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, David Warner (12th man yet to be named)
Reading this it is obvious our selectors have no idea what the hell they are doing. They are not blooding our troops but rather resting our veterans in matches that they care little about. The Aussie Squad should be more substantial to be able to cycle players of quality through to gain experience and cover injuries not just pull them out of First Class willy nilly to fill in for the resting of the veterans or injured. I wholeheartedly agree with having an Australia A side and for most other countries to have one also. Therefore we are allowing our players to get blooded at an international level and the stakes go up for the actual Aussie sides position. Yes it will take away from domestic a bit but in so saying will it not allow for more to come through to fill those gaps again giving depth to Australian cricket as a whole.
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