PERTH, Dec 5: Australian selectors have decided to shield three of their big guns from South African eyes before next week’s first clash in their three-match series.

Prolific opening batsman Justin Langer, Damien Martyn and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist have all been left out of the Western Australian side to meet the tourists in a four-day match starting at the WACA Ground on Friday.

This will be the only first-class workout for the South Africans before the first Test in Adelaide a week later.

Australian officials have explained the absence of the star trio by saying they have decided “to rest them as part of their preparation for Adelaide”.

Langer said here Wednesday he would not normally have dreamed of being absent from the State side in a clash with a visiting national side, but he was tired after playing so much recent cricket, including two Tests in the past 14 days.

Langer, a little left-hander, looms as a potential match-winner for Australia after hitting three centuries and a 75 in his past four Tests. He averaged 80 in the drawn New Zealand series which ended Tuesday.

Martyn has lost his champion touch in recent matches, but is a highly talented player who could be ready to produce another big score.

Gilchrist, the world’s leading wicketkeeper-batsman, almost carried his side to an amazing win in the third Test against New Zealand ending here Tuesday.

As Australia chased 440 to win in what would have been the greatest last innings run-down in Test history, he slammed an unbeaten 83 in 130 minutes, including 43 runs from 18 balls during one ferocious assault.

The three Western Australian players were also left out of the Australian Cricket Board Chairman’s XI beaten by South Africa in a one-day match.

However, that was understandable immediately after a taxing five-day Test.

The Chairman’s XI batsman were impressed by the pace and hostility of ace South African bowler Allan Donald in the pipe-opener.

Flamboyant opener Ryan Campbell said:” He is certainly one of the world’s greatest fast men and I can see why, even though I think he kept a bit up his sleeve today.”

Langer, who saw Donald from the boundary, said: “I am impressed with him. I”ll be doing my homework and talking to Ryan before the Test.

“Donald is obviously a world class act and we will have to bat well against him.”

The South Africans said Wednesday they had not finalised their team for the Friday clash.

Test batsman Simon Katich will skipper the Western Australian side, which has an oustanding record against international touring teams, and should provide stern competition for the tourists despite the absence of their leading Test stars.

Western Australia: Simon Katich (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Ryan Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Brad Hogg, Stuart Karpinnen, Scott Meuleman, Matt Nicholson, Marcus North, Brad Oldroyd, Brad Williams (12th man to be named).—AFP