Clarke misses India trip

Michael Clarke, who missed the ICC Champions Trophy, last featured for Australia in the final match of the NatWest Series

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Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of the one-day series in India after failing to recover from the back injury that forced him home early from the ICC Champions Trophy.

Clarke is one of four players unavailable through injury, along with Brad Haddin (finger), Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken (both knee).

However, their absence has created an opportunity for Victoria left-arm spinner Jon Holland, who has been rewarded for some fine performances for Australia A.

The selectors have also recalled Western Australia batsman Shaun Marsh, who missed the NatWest Series and the Champions Trophy after succumbing to a hamstring tear for the second time this year in South Africa in March.

With the Australia team coming off a successful defence of its Champions Trophy title, straight after beating England 6-1, chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said his panel has been pleased with the side's form.

"We're really pleased with the progress the ODI squad has made recently," Hilditch said.

"We do have four players unavailable for this tour due to injury (but) Shaun Marsh returns, having been an important and successful member of the one-day side before that injury.

"The NSP (national selection panel) is delighted with Australia's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy, which came off the back of a very solid ODI series performance against England in England.

"To reclaim our number one ICC world ranking was recognition of this squad's recent achievements but we recognise we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India.

"We expect the Indian series to be extremely testing, but the young squad is looking forward to the challenge.”

Hilditch added that the selection of Holland, 22, who was chosen in Australia's initial 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy after impressing for Australia A against Pakistan earlier this year, is a look to the future in what are spin-friendly conditions in India.

"Jon Holland is in the squad as we wanted to take the opportunity to give a young left-arm finger spinner exposure both to the Australian team set-up and Indian conditions," Hilditch said.

"He has impressed in the recent Australia A series against Pakistan and in his time at CA's Centre of Excellence. If an opportunity arises on tour we feel he will equip himself very well at international level."

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Mike Hussey, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.