Melbourne, Feb 24: Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz will replace suspended leg-spinner Shane Warne in Australia`s 15-man squad at the World Cup, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Monday. "Nathan Hauritz will join the Australian squad on Tuesday upon their return to South Africa from (the Pool A match against Zimbabwe in) Bulawayo," ACB Spokesman Peter Young said.
The 21-year-old Queenslander has taken seven wickets in five one-day internationals after making his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg 11 months ago.
"He has taken 14 wickets in the (Australian interstate one-day series) this season and was recently named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year," Young said.
Warne was banned for 12 months on Saturday under the ACB`s anti-doping policy in the biggest doping scandal to hit cricket.
The 33-year-old took a fluid-reducing pill last month which contained two banned diuretics. Diuretics can be used as masking agents for other drugs.
Warne`s ban is effective from February 10 2003 although the player named as one of Wisden`s five cricketers of the 20th century said on Saturday he planned to lodge a written appeal this week.
Australia`s leading wicket-taker left the World Cup without playing a match after hoping to repeat his heroics of 1999 when he was Man of the Match in the tied semi-final against South Africa and the final against Pakistan. Bureau Report