Struggling spinner Jason Krejza has been replaced by Nathan Hauritz in the 13-member Australian squad for the second Test against South Africa, starting December 26 in Melbourne.
Australia's selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said Krejza's axing was prompted by his below-par display in the opening Test in Perth, which Australia lost by six wickets after the South Africans chased down a record 414 target.
Krejza took just one wicket, conceding 204 runs in the match.
"The national selection panel consider that Jason is a potentially fine spin bowler for Australia, but our view is that in Perth we were unable to maintain pressure, and to successfully use our fast bowlers we needed to maintain that pressure at the spinners' end," Hilditch explained.
"Jason has been notified of this reasoning and has been encouraged to continue to be a wicket-taking spin bowler but will return to interstate cricket to further those skills," he added.
The selectors have added pacer Ben Hilfenhaus to the squad and Hilditch he might be considered a new-ball option in the next match.
"Ben is in the middle of a successful Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield season for Tasmania and has been added primarily because of his ability to swing the ball. He also adds depth as a new ball bowling option," he said.
The squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson.
