Australia's Ashes opener Phillip Hughes is one of a number of youngsters to be named in their 30-man Champions Trophy squad.
Ashes opener among youngsters to get the call
Australia's Ashes opener Phillip Hughes is one of a number of youngsters to be named in their 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September.
The 20-year-old, who has yet to play in a one-day international, has been included in the extended squad alongside current team-mate Peter Siddle, who has played just one one-dayer.
The squad also includes Jon Holland, Moises Henriques, Clinton McKay, Jason Krejza and Tim Paine - all of whom have yet to be capped in the one-day arena.
Shaun Tait, who only secured a Cricket Australia contract after Andrew Symonds was released following his pre-ICC World Twenty20 discretion, has also been named.
"The squad sees the inclusion of several exciting young players who we see as potentially very important to our future including Phillip Hughes, Callum Ferguson, Moises Henriques, Jon Holland, Tim Paine and Clinton McKay," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.
"The ICC Champions Trophy is a key event in international cricket and a very important one for Australia as we look to lift our one-day international performances in our bid to retain this trophy."
The tournament will be played from September 22 to October 5 in South Africa after being moved from Pakistan, where it was supposed to be held last year.
With Australia coming off a gruelling three-month tour of England before embarking on a seven-match one-day series in India in October, Hilditch hinted the competition will be used to blood young prospects.
"The Australian side is currently in a rebuilding phase as we prepare for the 2011 ICC World Cup, following the loss of so many important players from the 2007 World Cup-winning team," he said.
"The squad recognises the performances of our proven one-day international players, the strong performance of the Australia A side in the recent one-day series against Pakistan A and the performances of our interstate players in the Ford Ranger Cup."
A final squad of 15 has to be selected by August 23.
Australia preliminary squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Ben Hilfenhaus, Jon Holland, James Hopes, Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clinton McKay, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
