Smith out, Hazlewood in

Steve Smith has been left out of Australia's XI for the first Carlton Mid ODI against South Africa in Perth tomorrow.

The right-hander, who made scores of 101, 12 and 77 in Australia's 3-0 triumph over Pakistan in the UAE, has been named 12th man for the first of two matches at the WACA Ground.

Smith has made way for the return of allrounder Shane Watson, who will bat at No.3.

"A couple of tough selections there from the selectors, a couple of tough decisions," captain Michael Clarke said when commenting on the absence of Smith and South Australia paceman Kane Richardson.

"As we know, we've got to play our best. We're playing against a fantastic team and we have to be on top of our game to beat them.

"Hopefully we can start this really well tomorrow."

Image Id: ~/media/06FA9F9EAA4D4E94B215FBFFE371AF0FSteve Smith in discussion with selector Rod Marsh at training in Perth.

Paceman Josh Hazlewood has been picked for his first ODI since September 2013, while Matthew Wade will take the gloves in place of the injured Brad Haddin.

Hazlewood is part of a three-man pace attack along with Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Coulter-Nile, while allrounders Watson and Mitchell Marsh will offer more than handy support with the ball.

Australia haven't named a frontline spinner in their squad for the first two matches of the five-game series, with off-spinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell the major candidate to bowl some spin if required on a pitch that's expected to favour the fast bowlers.

Smith's absence from the XI, just a month after he was named man-of-the-series against Pakistan, highlights the depth of Australia's batting stocks as they gear up for the ICC Cricket World Cup next year.

The five-match series against the Proteas, which also includes matches in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, is the last ODI series the Aussies will play before their 15-man squad for the World Cup is named on January 8.

The World Cup squad announcement will be followed by a tri-series involving Australia, India and England, before the opening match of cricket's showpiece event on February 14.

Clarke said he hoped selectors would use the tri-series as preparation for the World Cup, which would make the series against the Proteas the final chance for players to press their claims in ODI cricket.

Image Id: ~/media/7A98BFC18CA74BC3BBD1C8F61A66854CMichael Clarke and Rod Marsh chat at the WACA Ground.

"I think we've probably got this series to give guys an opportunity if the selectors are still not certain on their 15," the skipper said.

"I've voiced my opinion to (selectors) Rod (Marsh) and to Darren (Lehmann) in regards to - I'd love to see the squad selected for the tri-series after the Australian summer, I’d love to see that be our one-day World Cup squad of 15 players, so we can spend that time in preparation for the World Cup.

"I think the fact that we’ve only picked a team for two games here, and then the selectors will get together and pick another team for maybe two or three (games), I'm not really sure if they’re still looking at couple of positions.

"It’s always tough because there’s so much cricket to play leading into the World Cup.

"They’ve (the selectors) picked what they feel is the best squad they feel to have success in Perth in these conditions, and I’m pretty sure they’ll reassess for the next three games."

Australia's squad for first ODI
David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazelwood, Steve Smith (12th)