Injury-depleted Australia team for India

Adelaide:

Young spinner Jon Holland was the surprise selection on Friday in an injury-hit Australian squad for their seven one-day match series in India in October-November.

The 22-year-old left-arm finger spinner from Victoria impressed playing for Australia A in their recent home series against Pakistan as well as his time at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence, chief selector Andrew Hilditch said.

"Jon Holland is in the squad as we wanted to take the opportunity to give a young left arm finger spinner exposure both to the Australian team set-up and Indian conditions," Hilditch said.

"If an opportunity arises on tour we feel he will equip himself very well at international level."

Vice-captain Michael Clark (back), wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (finger), batsman Callum Ferguson (knee) and paceman Nathan Bracken (knee) were not considered for the Indian tour because of their injuries, Hilditch said.

Mike Hussey will be skipper Ricky Ponting's team deputy for the series, which starts with an ODI in Vadodara on October 25.

"We do have four players unavailable for this tour due to injury," Hilditch said.

"Michael Clarke is continuing his rehabilitation from back soreness, while Brad Haddin continues his rehabilitation from finger surgery, following the injury he picked up during the Ashes series.

"Tim Paine, following a fine ICC Champions Trophy, is selected as wicket keeper.

"Callum Ferguson continues to consult specialists over the knee injury he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy final and is not available for this tour. Nathan Bracken is also unavailable due to a knee injury."

The Australians will have batsman Shaun Marsh back from a hamstring injury.

Hilditch said the selection panel was delighted with Australia's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa, which came off the back of a 6-1 ODI series win against England in England.

"To reclaim our number one ICC world ranking was recognition of this squad's recent achievements," he said.

"But we recognise we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India.

"We expect the Indian series to be extremely testing but the young squad is looking forward to the challenge."

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Mike Hussey (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.