SYDNEY  - Struggling opener Shaun Marsh was Monday left out of Australia's one-day squad to face India and Sri Lanka, while wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been rested in favour of Matthew Wade.
Australia go into the tri-nations series buoyed by a 4-0 Test whitewash of India, and with players such as newcomer Peter Forrest showing strong form in the domestic Twenty20 league and Sheffield Shield. Marsh, 28, put in a poor performance during the Test series, scoring just 17 runs after returning to the side following a back injury.
"Shaun Marsh is obviously disappointed with his own form in recent weeks and is out of the side, but remains in our thinking for the future while he works at state level," said national selector John Inverarity. "As they say, class is permanent but form can be temporary." Inverarity said Haddin will be rested after "a heavy program of Test cricket" in favour of debutant Wade.
"The workload for a wicketkeeper/batsman is rigorous and resting him for the start of the series will refresh him for coming international commitments, while also giving us a chance to look at Matt Wade at this level," he said. Australia have not named a vice-captain for the first three games because Haddin is resting and all-rounder Shane Watson is still unavailable due to injury.
Brett Lee is included in a bowling attack which also features Ryan Harris and Xavier Doherty. Australia and India kick off the tri-nations tournament on February 5 with a match at the MCG. Australian squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Clint McKay, Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
The offspinner Nathan Lyon is expected to miss at least the next two Sheffield Shield matches for South Australia due to a thigh injury. Lyon carried the problem through the Test series against India and he was still able to perform well enough to take four wickets in the final innings in Adelaide, but Cricket Australia's medical staff want him to rest and allow the injury to heal.
"Nathan Lyon has been carrying a right thigh muscle strain for the majority of the Test series against India," Australia's physio Alex Kountouris said.
"This injury has gradually become worse throughout the course of the series and has come to a point where he needs a break to allow it to heal.