11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

SYDNEY, Feb 10: The international future of Darren Lehmann is in jeopardy after he was dumped on Thursday from Australia's one-day team to tour New Zealand later this month.

The 35-year-old batsman, who hit the winning runs in the 1999 World Cup final, has been badly out of form and his omission from the squad could signal the end of his Australian career.

Western Australia's Mike Hussey was chosen as Lehmann's replacement in the 14-man squad while uncapped Queensland all rounder James Hopes was promoted to take over from the injured Shane Watson.

Opening batsman Matthew Hayden, dropped for the recent triangular one-day series finals with Pakistan, was also included.

"Darren has been a wonderful player for Australia over a long period of time," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement. "However, as a selection panel, we have to start looking to the future. At 35, age is not on Darren's side and it is fair to say that his performances of late were becoming a concern.

"Unfortunately it's one of those tough calls that as selectors we have to make but it is time for us to move forward."

Hussey, 29, a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer, scored an unbeaten 17 in his only one-day appearance for Australia against India a year ago but pushed his claims for selection with 362 runs at an average of 40.22 in the domestic limited-overs competition.

"Mike Hussey has been knocking on the door for some time," Hohns said. "He impressed us when making his one-day debut in Perth last summer and we said at the time that he had certainly put his case forward for future selections. It is fair to say that this is a reward for consistency."

Hopes was a surprise inclusion. The 26-year-old was struggling to hold his place in the Queensland team at the start of the season but caught the eyes of the selectors with 291 runs at 36.37 and 11 wickets in the domestic competition.

"James Hopes is an exciting prospect, another young talent who we have been keeping a close watch on," Hohns said.

Australia's players travel to New Zealand next Wednesday. They play a Twenty20 match with the Kiwis on Feb 17 before contesting five ODIs.

The squad for the three-match test series will be announced at the end of the month.

Australia one-day squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath..-Reuters