Teenager Pat Cummins could become Australia's second-youngest Test player after making the tour squad for South Africa.
NSW paceman called into Test team for South Africa tour
Teenage fast bowler Pat Cummins could become the second-youngest Test player in Australian history after being named in a 15-man squad to tour South Africa.
The 18-year-old New South Welshman replaces James Pattinson in what is an otherwise unchanged squad from last month's tour of Sri Lanka.
Cummins, who last year became the youngest player to earn a Cricket Australia contract, will stay on in South Africa for the entire tour, having taken 3-25 and 2-26 in the tour-opening Twenty20 internationals against the Proteas.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: "The squad has a very good balance of experience and exciting young talent. While playing South Africa on their home soil is one of the hardest assignments in world cricket, it will be a very exciting challenge for this new-look Test side after it played excellent cricket to win the Sri Lankan series last month.
"James is very unlucky to miss selection. He is a very good young fast bowler who has done well in his limited opportunities at international level to date."
One-dayers
Australia will play three one-day internationals before the first Test in Cape Town starting November 9. The second and final Test is in Johannesburg from November 17.
"We think the conditions will be quite different at both venues. This squad gives us the flexibility to adapt to all conditions and we think gives us the right balance to maximise our chances of winning the series," Hilditch said.
Hilditch revealed spinners Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon would remain in Australia to play two Sheffield Shield matches each before joining the Test squad in the lead up to the first five-dayer.
Seamer Ryan Harris will also stay in Australia to be available for Queensland's Shield match against Tasmania at the Gabba starting October 25.
Australian Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Michael Beer, Trent Copeland, Patrick Cummins, Brad Haddin (wkt), Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle
