Former Test fast bowler Brett Lee [ Images ] was included in Australia's [ Images ] initial 30-man squad for next year's World Cup, which was announced by Cricket Australia on Friday.

The 34-year-old, who retired from Test cricket at the start of this year in the hope of extending his career in shorter forms of the game, last played a One-Day International in India [ Images ] in October last year.

The squad will be halved with the final list of 15 players being submitted to the International Cricket Council [ Images ] (ICC [ Images ]) before January 19.

"Australia is the reigning world champion and also holds the ICC Champions Trophy [ Images ] in the 50-over game," chief selector Andrew Hilditch said in a news release.

"We've selected an initial squad with conditions in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka [ Images ] in mind and expect this group to be equal to the challenge ahead."

The 10th World Cup takes place from February 19 to April 2.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting [ Images ] (captain), Michael Clarke [ Images ], Doug Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin [ Images ], Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz [ Images ], Brad Hodge [ Images ], James Hopes [ Images ], David Hussey [ Images ], Mike Hussey [ Images ], Mitchell Johnson [ Images ], Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh [ Images ], Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle [ Images ], Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait [ Images ], Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson [ Images ], Cameron White [ Images ].