November 02, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 20, 1428

SYDNEY, Nov 1: Opening batsman Phil Jaques and spinners Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg were named in a 13-man Australian squad on Thursday for next week’s opening cricket Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane.

Jaques will get the first opportunity to partner Matthew Hayden at the top of the batting order since Justin Langer’s retirement from Test cricket earlier this year.

Selectors also included MacGill and Hogg in the squad to assess their form in nets practice ahead of the Nov 8 Test at the Gabba.

Four fast bowlers were named – Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait.

It will be the first Test Australia has played since beating England by 10 wickets in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground last January, the farewell Test appearances of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Langer.

“We have selected a squad of 13 for the first Test,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.

“We did the same last year as it gives us the opportunity to take the players to Brisbane, watch their preparation, assess the conditions in Brisbane and decide on the best balance for our team.”

Hilditch said 28-year-old New South Wales left-hander Jaques will be given the honour of opening the innings with Hayden.

“Phil Jaques has been given the great honour of opening the batting for Australia with the retirement of one of our greatest opening batsmen in Justin Langer,” he said.

“These are very big shoes to fill but we are really quite excited about the new era.

“This is a richly deserved opportunity for Phil after years of excellent Sheffield Shield performances, an extremely impressive Australia ‘A’ tour of Pakistan and another strong start to the 2007-08 season.”

Jaques has played two Tests against South Africa and Bangladesh in 2005-06 scoring 96 runs at 32.00.

Hilditch said selectors opted to include both MacGill and Hogg in the squad.

“Stuart MacGill is an excellent leg-spinner with a great record for Australia, and Brad Hogg, despite having limited four-day experience due to his outstanding one-day record, is coming off a very strong performance for Western Australia.

“Having both of them in the squad gives us the opportunity again to assess the conditions and decide upon what selection is best for the team.

“It is fairly standard to select four fast bowlers in the Australian squad.

“The bowlers we have chosen are all different and all bring exciting aspects to the team. Again, the conditions in Brisbane will play a large role in determining the final make-up of our fast-bowling line-up.”

Hilditch said the squad will be reduced to 12 by Wednesday and the 12th man will be released to play interstate cricket.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait.—AFP