Cricket: Hodge gets Lehmann's spot for test series

Victorian batsman Brad Hodge was today named in Australia's 13-man test cricket squad for this month's series in New Zealand in place of the injured Darren Lehmann, whose international career appears over.

The 35-year-old Lehmann was omitted from the national one-day squad last month but was hopeful of retaining a spot in the test squad.

However he was ruled out of selection contention yesterday because of an injured shoulder that has restricted his bowling and throwing and will undergo surgery next week.

Hodge's 735 Pura Cup runs this season earned him the nod as Lehmann's replacement, while West Australian Mike Hussey -- who has shown good form in the one-day series in New Zealand -- was overlooked.

Hodge, 30, whose past three Pura Cup scores have been 204 not out, 140 and 88, is the only uncapped player in the squad.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said Hodge -- who was also a member of the touring party in India last year -- had earned his place after another fine domestic season.

"Brad has enjoyed a superb year for Victoria and the decision to pick him in this squad was reward for consistency," Hohns said.

"He has presented an irresistible case to be part of this tour and if he gets the opportunity, we feel confident that he can do a good job for Australia.

"We said during the Indian series, when he missed out on a spot in the test 11, that he was still in line for national selection.

"His domestic form has ensured that this is the case."

Legpsinner Shane Warne and opening batsman Justin Langer are the other players who were not a part of the one-day series named in the test squad.

Hohns said allrounder Shane Watson was also unavailable for selection because of injury.

Watson has only just resumed bowling after he suffered a side strain during the tri-series finals against Pakistan last month.

The veteran Lehmann would now be at long odds to achieve his goal of making an Australian Ashes tour.

Hohns said there was no need to extend the Australian squad beyond 13 players for the three test series in New Zealand.

"We have plenty of options with both bat and ball and given the close proximity of the two countries, we always have the option of flying players in as the series progresses," he said.

"We settled on 13 players as we don't want players sitting on the sidelines in New Zealand when they could be representing their states in the Pura Cup."

Hodge, Warne and Langer will all play in Pura Cup matches this weekend before departing for New Zealand on Monday.

The first test starts in Christchurch on March 10.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne.

AAP