Fast bowler Brett Lee and all-rounder Shane Watson were named on Tuesday in a 15-man Australian squad for next month's ICC World Twenty20 in England, though both have yet to test their fitness to bowl at the international level.
Lee and Watson are due to play for Australia against Pakistan in a Twenty20 International match at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, the first time in months either will attempt to bowl in an international game.
Lee hasn't bowled for Australia since he suffered a foot and ankle injury during last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Melbourne. Watson played as a batsman in Australia's five one-day internationals against Pakistan, but has not bowled since last November because of stress fractures in his back.
The Australian squad also includes all-rounder Andrew Symonds and dashing opening batsman David Warner.
The Australian squad has considerable bowling depth with the inclusion of Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle, who were rested for the recent series against Pakistan, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Australia will use the ICC World Twenty20, from June 5 to 21, to prepare for its subsequent Ashes series against England.
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Lee and Watson are due to play for Australia against Pakistan in a Twenty20 International match at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, the first time in months either will attempt to bowl in an international game.
Lee hasn't bowled for Australia since he suffered a foot and ankle injury during last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Melbourne. Watson played as a batsman in Australia's five one-day internationals against Pakistan, but has not bowled since last November because of stress fractures in his back.
The Australian squad also includes all-rounder Andrew Symonds and dashing opening batsman David Warner.
The Australian squad has considerable bowling depth with the inclusion of Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle, who were rested for the recent series against Pakistan, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Australia will use the ICC World Twenty20, from June 5 to 21, to prepare for its subsequent Ashes series against England.
Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.
