Katich included in Australian one-day squad

Simon Katich has been included in Australia's one-day squad to take on New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, beginning at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on December 5. Despite having a very good tour of India, when he made two crucial half-centuries, Katich was left out of the side that whitewashed New Zealand in the Tests. He replaced Ian Harvey in the one-day squad, who will be returning to domestic cricket after recovering from a groin injury.

Katich's inclusion was the only change that the selectors made to the side that had lost in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy in England a few months back. Commenting on the selection, Trevor Hohns, the chairman of the selection panel, said, "With Ian Harvey on his way back from injury, we felt it was important to give him some more time at state level before considering him for international duties. We'll certainly be keeping close watch on him during his comeback for Victoria. Katich performed well in his return to ING Cup cricket and deserves his place in the squad."

Hohns also justified the decision to pick a 14-man squad for such a short series: "Not only to give us flexibility over the three games but to balance player workload in the lead-up to the Test series against Pakistan."

After the first game at Melbourne, the teams will clash at Sydney on December 8 before before concluding at Brisbane on December 10. All matches are day/night fixtures and will be broadcast live around Australia on the Nine Network and ABC Radio.

Australian squad
Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath.