Aus: Od Squad Delayed

Australia have been forced to delay naming their One Day tour party due to injuries.

The announcement was due on Wednesday but has been put back a day, with batsman Darren Lehmann still undergoing fitness tests after picking up an ankle injury against Pakistan recently.

He is expected to recover to win a place in the squad alongside another injury worry, all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who has since been cleared to play. However all-rounder Shane Watson is definitely out of contention with a side strain.

Selector Allan Border has also confirmed that Australia’s panel has decided to scrap its rotation policy and will now choose the best available team for every match.

Australia have been chopping and changing their one-day side for the past few seasons to give players more time to rest, but the policy has unsettled the team.

Allan Border did go onto to say though that if a player particularly requires a rest or has a slight niggle that they don’t wish to chance the board will be willing to accommodate their request.

The tour with New Zealand begins next week with a Twenty20 international in Auckland on 17 February.