Cricket: Australia drop Lehmann from squad to tour NZ

BRISBANE - Darren Lehmann's international cricket career appears over after he was omitted from the Australian one-day squad to tour New Zealand.

Lehmann was today left out of the 14-man squad which included Queensland selection bolter James Hopes, West Australian batsman Mike Hussey and out-of-form opener Matthew Hayden.

It ends a rocky last five months for the South Australian batsman whose place in the test side has been the cause of much debate since a disappointing tour of India.

The 35-year-old was preferred to Simon Katich for the start of the domestic test season but made way for Shane Watson in the last test of the summer against Pakistan at the SCG.

Lehmann's one-day spot appeared much firmer after two half-centuries against New Zealand in December but failures in his last three innings, including a first-ball duck due to an impetuous reverse sweep, appears to have sealed his fate.

His place in the middle-order is set to be covered by the selection of the versatile Hussey who can bat effectively from No.1 to No.7.

All-rounder Hopes, battling to keep his spot in the Bulls team at the start of the season, won his spurs after a fine domestic season and a side strain sidelined state teammate Watson.

The 26-year-old has played 25 first-class matches for the Bulls.

The limited-overs leg of the Trans-Tasman tour, featuring five one-day matches, starts next Thursday with the first-ever Twenty20 international.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath.

- AAP