Offie Hauritz gets break as Warne’s replacement

Ending days of speculation over replacement of Warne, who returned home from South Africa after learning about a positive dope test without bowling a ball, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced the decision of the national slection panel today.

The board first delayed an announcement pending the hearing of Warne and then looked to be in two minds when the star leggie said he would appeal against the 12-month ban imposed on him by an independent drugs tribunal.

But with Warne still undecided about his appeal against the ruling, the board decided to go ahead with naming the replacement. Hauritz has played five one-day internationals for Australia, having made his limited-overs debut on the tour of South Africa in February last year.

His last outing in national colours was against Kenya during a tri-nation tournament in Nairobi in September 2002. Hauritz, named the 2003 Bradman young cricketer of the year, said he had mixed feelings on receiving the call-up.

“It’s obviously a strange feeling, because I am disappointed at the result of Shane’s hearing, but naturally thrilled to be called up to the squad,” Hauritz said. “Shane has been one of my heroes since I was a kid, so to be replacing him now is somewhat bitter-sweet. “But from the perspective of my cricket career, being selected in this squad is a real highlight,” he said. National selection panel chairman Trevor Hohns said Hauritz’s inclusion would provide the squad with a second quality spinning option.