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Australia rest Ponting, Watson for India ODIs

Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting, batsman Shane Watson and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will miss this month’s ODIs against India to stay fresh for the Ashes, officials said.

The three will sit out the October 17, 20 and 24 games in India, following two Test matches, which come just a month before the much-anticipated home series against England starts on November 25.

“Player workload management is particularly important over the course of the next seven months as we prepare a squad to defend the ICC Cricket World Cup... and to win the Ashes back from England,” selectors chairman Andrew Hilditch said late on Tuesday.

Uncapped fast bowlers James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc were included in the 14-man squad, while Callum Ferguson returns from a serious knee injury.

Hilditch added that wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and fast bowler Peter Siddle were making “extremely good progress” in their injury battles and would resume state cricket this month.

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, Doug Bollinger, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner