Australia announce T20 squad

MELBOURNE: Fast bowler Brett Lee and allrounder Shane Watson were named Tuesday in a 15-man Australian squad for next month's Twenty20 World Cup in England, though both have yet to test their fitness to bowl at international level.

Lee and Watson are due to play for Australia against Pakistan in a Twenty20 match at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, the first time in months either will attempt to bowl in an international game.

Lee hasn't bowled for Australia since he suffered a foot and ankle injury during last year's Boxing Day test against South Africa at Melbourne. Watson played as a batsman in Australia's five one-day internationals against Pakistan, but has not bowled since last November because of stress fractures in his back.

The Australian squad named Tuesday also includes allrounder Andrew Symonds and dashing opening batsman David Warner.

Symonds' inclusion is seen as a sign of his full acceptance into the Australian team after disciplinary incidents led to his supsension last summer.

The Australian squad has considerable bowling depth with the inclusion of Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle, who were rested from the recent series against Pakistan, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Australia will use the Twenty20 world championships, from June 5 to 21, to prepare for its subsequent Ashes series against England.


Australian squad

Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.