Wade axed from test squad

Cricket: Middleorder batsman Matthew Wade has been dumped from Australia’s test squad for the tour of South Africa after his lean series against India.

Wade will instead head to New Zealand with Australia's twenty20 squad for a fivematch series starting on February 22 in Christchurch.

Wicketkeeperbatsman Alex Carey has been included in the 19man squad along with another uncapped player in Queensland paceman Mark Steketee.

Openers Will Pucovski and David Warner, and fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson have all been selected despite recent injuries.

The Australian and South African boards are yet to sign off on dates for the threetest tour as authorities in South Africa battle to contain Covid19 infections.

Australia also released an 18man twenty20 squad for the New Zealand tour, which includes uncapped players Tanveer Sangha, a 19yearold legspinner, wicketkeeperbatsman Josh Philippe and paceman Riley Meredith.

Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith,

Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa. — AAP