Australia name 13-man squad to play Pakistan

Australia's cricket selectors named a 13-man squad on Friday to face Pakistan in a three-game limited-overs series in June.

There were no surprises in the squad with Ricky Ponting named captain and Adam Gilchrist his deputy.

The selectors stuck with the same players who featured in Australia's 5-1 series win over South Africa earlier this year although all-rounder Ian Harvey and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz were cut from the 15-man squad that toured South Africa because the Pakistan series is only three matches.

The series against Pakistan was only finalised last month after Australia's planned tour of Zimbabwe was called off because of security fears.

The first two matches will be played indoors at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium on June 12 and 15 with the third match to be held at the Gabba in Brisbane on June 19.

Pakistan are expected to name their squad later this month.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

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Mail Cricket Editor