Michael Clarke in Australian test cricket squad

Last updated 15:57 10/03/2010

Reuters

TESTING TIME: Michael Clarke is back in the Australia test squad for a series against New Zealand.

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Australia have included troubled vice-captain Michael Clarke and out-of-form batsman Marcus North in a 14-man squad for this month's two-Test tour of New Zealand.

Clarke has retained his place despite quitting the one-day tour of New Zealand earlier this week for personal reasons related to a nude-photo scandal involving fiancee Lara Bingle.

The two-Test series starts on March 19 in Wellington.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has also named young NSW all-rounder Steve Smith, Blues opener Phillip Hughes and uncapped Queenland quick Ryan Harris.

Ten of the 11 players from Australia's third Test against Pakistan in Hobart in January have been retained, with pace bowler Peter Siddle missing out because of a back injury which will sideline him for several months.

Siddle's Victorian team-mate Clint McKay, who made his Test debut in December against West Indies in Perth, has taken 16 Shield wickets at 23.00 this season. He'll be vying for a spot in the first Test side in Wellington.

McKay faces competition from the uncapped Queensland seamer Ryan Harris for the third pace-bowling spot alongside Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson.

North’s effort in retaining his place in the squad means the 30-year-old Western Australia captain is likely to keep his spot in the side at No.6, despite the impressive credentials of young NSW all-rounder Steve Smith.

North has scored 102 runs in his past seven Shield innings including his eight on today against Queensland at the Gabba.

The gifted left-hander averaged only 10.25 in the summer Test series at home against Pakistan.

Smith’s NSW team-mate Phillip Hughes, the dashing 21-year-old opener who played five Tests in 2009 and one in January when Simon Katich was injured, has been included as a back-up for Katich and fellow opener Shane Watson.

''The core of the squad is the Australian Test team that performed so well during the Australian summer in defeating West Indies and Pakistan,'' Hilditch said today in a statement.

''Ryan Harris, having overcome injuries at the start of the season, has played really well for Australia in the shorter formats of the game.

''Phillip Hughes has also been in excellent form at state level and richly deserves his selection on the back of another fantastic (Shield) season.

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''Steve Smith has had an excellent Shield season, including a big century against Tasmania recently, and of course has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the pressure of international cricket.

''He adds great flexibility to the squad with his exciting strokeplay, leg-spin bowling and gifted fielding.''

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

- AAP