December 22, 2008

OFF-SPINNER Nathan Hauritz and paceman Ben Hilfenhaus have been included in Australia's squad for the second cricket Test against South Africa at the MCG, starting on Boxing Day.

Hauritz replaced Jason Krejza, who returned match figures of 1-204 in the six-wicket defeat to the Proteas in the first Test in Perth.

Veterans Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden retained their places in the squad despite their recent struggles, with Hayden a confirmed starter given no other batsmen were brought into the squad.

However Lee, 32, who returned match figures of 1-132 at the WACA Ground, could find himself replaced by Tasmanian Hilfenhaus, who is yet to play a Test although he has played one one-day international.

Victoria paceman Peter Siddle, another who had little impact in Perth, was also retained, while the 13-man squad also included Queensland all-rounder Shane Watson.

Hauritz, 27, has played two Tests, one in India in 2004 and the other against New Zealand in Adelaide last month, when Krejza was injured.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Krejza had leaked too many runs when bowling in Perth, which made it difficult for Australia to maintain pressure on South Africa's batsmen.

South Africa scored a remarkable 4-414 in the final innings of the Test to win, the second-highest successful run-chase in Test history.

“The national selection panel consider that Jason is a potentially fine spin bowler for Australia, but our view is that in Perth we were unable to maintain pressure and to successfully use our fast bowlers we needed to maintain that pressure at the spinner's end,” Hilditch said.

“Jason has been informed of this reasoning and has been encouraged to continue to be a wicket-taking spin bowler but will return to interstate cricket to further those skills.”

Hauritz took four wickets in the second Test against the Kiwis, and Hilditch said the selectors thought the NSW bowler deserved a recall given the pressure he applied in that match.

Hilfenhaus, 25, played a one-day match against New Zealand in January 2007 and has enjoyed a great start to the Sheffield Shield season, having taken 24 wickets at 18.66 from six matches.

The right-armer was rewarded for his form and ability to swing the ball, and in a sign that he could potentially replace Lee, Hilditch said the Tasmanian was capable of opening the bowling.

“Ben is in the middle of a successful Sheffield Shield season for Tasmania and has been added primarily because of his ability to swing the ball,” he said.

“He also adds depth as a new ball bowling option.”

Watson also provides another bowling option, however his all-rounder rival Andrew Symonds made 57 and 37 in Perth, although he was out to two rash shots.

Symonds bowled only three overs in South Africa's first innings.

Hayden's retention paves the way for the 37-year-old to play another Test in Melbourne, where he has a phenomenal record.

Although Hayden has struggled for most of this year - his past 13 innings have yielded only 282 runs at 23.50 - he has scored six centuries from the past seven Tests he played at the MCG.

Australia are aiming to bounce back and win a series after losing the first Test, a feat they have achieved only six times, but not since 1968-69 against the West Indies.

Australia have never won a three-match series after losing the first Test.

Australia Squad
Ricky Ponting (c): TAS, 34
Michael Clarke (vc): NSW, 27
Brad Haddin: NSW, 31
Nathan Hauritz: NSW, 27
Matthew Hayden: QLD, 37
Ben Hilfenhaus: TAS 25
Michael Hussey: WA, 33
Mitchell Johnson: WA, 27
Simon Katich: NSW, 33
Brett Lee: NSW, 32
Peter Siddle: VIC, 24
Andrew Symonds: QLD, 33
Shane Watson: QLD, 27