Warne out of one-day international team to play South Africa

Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland today announced that the National Selection Panel had chosen the following team for the first one-day international match against South Africa at The Wanderers in Johannesburg, beginning today (Friday 22 March).

Shane Warne will miss the first two one-day internationals of the seven-match Standard Bank Series with South Africa on the Travelex tour as he rests a minor strain to his right hamstring, it was announced this evening. Warne, Australia's leading wicket-taker in one-day international history, sustained the strain ahead of the second match of the recent Test series in Cape Town.

Despite that, he bowled almost 100 overs in the Cape Town match (his 100th Test) and 162 overs in the three Tests - more than any bowler on either side. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 20 wickets at 22.10, including his 100th against South Africa and his 450th in Tests.

The strain is not considered serious and the leg-spinner is expected to return to the side for the third match of the one-day series in Potchefstroom on 27 March.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said: "Shane's problem is not a major one but with seven games in 19 days in this series it makes sense for him to miss the first two matches which take place in the space of three days.

"That will allow him the chance to be fully fit for the remaining matches of the series."

Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz will take Warne's place in the side, making his one-day international debut at The Wanderers on Friday.

Hauritz said: "To get the call-up is amazing and a surprise but a pleasant one. I only found out on Thursday evening that Warney was injured and that's the reason I'm in.

"When I was picked for the tour I was hoping to play one game, but if I didn't then that wouldn't have bothered me because just to come on the tour with the group of players in this squad is a great experience for me and I'm keen to learn as much as I can from everyone around me.

"It's now up to me to show them what I can do. My aim is just to bowl well and try not to get overawed, just to try and relax and enjoy it.

"The most people I've played in front of is about 12,000 so this is going to be a big experience for me but I'll speak to a few players ahead of the game, including Warney, about what to expect," said Hauritz.