Ronchi steps in for Haddin

Luke Ronchi struck a brutal 64 from 28 balls to help beat West Indies in St Kitts in July

Luke Ronchi has been called into Australia’s squad to replace fellow wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for the two Twenty20 matches against South Africa at the MCG and Gabba.

Haddin will be rested following his involvement in Australia's tour of India and the Test series against New Zealand and South Africa.

"Brad arrived in Melbourne yesterday feeling the effects of his heavy workload over the past three months which has included consecutive Test series against India, New Zealand and South Africa," national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

"In accordance with our policy of managing the workloads of players involved in all three forms of the game, it was decided that he would benefit from not playing in the two KFC Twenty20 Internationals."

Haddin was initially selected in the squad, but selectors wanted to assess the wicketkeeper once he had arrived in Melbourne before coming to their final decision.

"It is the same process we employ for all players in that we assess them after they have had a chance to rest and recover immediately following a match, especially if they have been involved in a lot of cricket as Brad has been," Hilditch said.

"Given the high intensity of Twenty20 cricket and the upcoming schedule of one-day international matches, it was decided that this was an appropriate time to manage Brad's workload with his and the Australian team's long-term interests in mind."

Ronchi comes back into the Australia squad having made his debut against West Indies last year.

The Western Australia batsman impressed in his four one-day internationals, smashing six sixes and six fours in one knock of 64 off just 28 balls.