MELBOURNE, Jan 30: Australia named young uncapped all-rounder Shane Watson and recalled batsman Darren Lehmann Wednesday to their 15-man squad for next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa.

Stuart MacGill (82 wickets in 17 Tests) was also included after he combined with fellow leg-spinner Shane Warne to take 13 wickets in Australia’s 10-wicket win over South Africa in the third Test in Sydney earlier this month.

But, under the ICC’s complicated rankings system, the South Africans can replace Australia as the number one side if they draw the forthcoming series on home soil.

Watson, 20, has taken 22 wickets at 23.36 for Tasmania in interstate championship four-day matches this season, with best figures of six for 32.

The right-hander has also scored 292 runs at 29.20 with a highest score of 58 not out.

Squad: Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Stuart MacGill, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Mark Waugh.

Itinerary:

Feb 17-19: v South Africa ‘A’ (Potchefstroom).

Feb 22-26: First Test (Johannesburg).

March 1-4: v South Africa ‘A’ (Port Elizabeth).

March 8-12: Second Test (Cape Town).

March 15-19: Third Test (Durban).

Note: The seven-match one-day series will be played from March 22 to April 9.—Reuters