Clarke out of Twenty20 with illness

Michael Clarke will miss Friday's Twenty20 match against the All-Stars due to a severe viral illness he picked up in India. However, Clarke is expected to be fit for the first Test against New Zealand, which starts in Brisbane next Thursday, and has been named in the Test squad.

"Michael Clarke contracted a severe viral illness during the final Test against India in Nagpur and although his condition is improving, he is not well enough to take his place in the Twenty20 game," Trefor James, the Cricket Australia doctor, said. "His condition will continue to be monitored and we are confident he will recover in time to be available for selection in the first Test."

Michael Hussey will take over the captaincy for the one-off Twenty20 game with Ricky Ponting already being rested following the India tour. Clarke's illness has provided an opportunity for the Tasmania spinner Xavier Doherty, who has been called into the 12-man Australia squad for the Twenty20 match.

Doherty, a left-arm orthodox spinner, toured India with Australia A this year and he has been a consistently strong performer in the domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions over the past few seasons. Although he has battled to get regular first-class games, Doherty was the equal leading wicket taker in the FR Cup last season and he picked up 4 for 18 in Tasmania's win in the final.

"It is really surprising but I am very excited by the opportunity I have been given," Doherty said. "I had a message on my phone last night when we got off the field against Victoria and it really came out of the blue. Last night was a bit like Christmas Eve, I had a lot of trouble sleeping and tomorrow should be great."

The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) All-Stars XI have also made a change to their squad with Ashley Noffke ruled out due to an ongoing back problem. Andrew McDonald, the Victoria allrounder, has been named as Noffke's replacement.

Australia Matthew Hayden, Shaun Marsh, Michael Hussey (capt), David Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Peter Siddle, Shaun Tait.

ACA All-Stars XI Adam Gilchrist (capt, wk), Justin Langer, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Rob Quiney, Michael Dighton, Dan Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Ryan Harris, Steve Magoffin, Brendan Drew, Dan Cullen.