The rising star of Australian cricket, batsman Michael Clarke, was named Wednesday in the team to open this month'sTest series against New Zealand, replacing a luckless Simon Kalich.

Darren Lehmann, who was at risk of losing his spot to Clarke, remained in the 12-man squad subject to full recovery from a hamstring injury and spin-master Shane Wamc has also made a comeback from a fractured thumb.

The other player dropped from the team which achieved a historic victory in Australia’s Test series against India last month was young spin bowler Nathan Hauritz, who lost his spot toWame.

Paccman Brett Lee was also retained, but looked likely to again be the 12th man after failing to bowl a single over during the India scries.

Clarke's sensationalTest debut in India, where he was called in to replace injured captain Ricky Ponting, gave Australian selectors their toughest task in years in deciding the team to play New Zealand.

Clarke, 23, made 151 in his debut innings in Bangalore and topped both the team's batting and bowling averages after taking six wickets for only nine runs in the fourth Test in Mumbai.

Katich, 29, was also on fire with the third highest batting average in India, but he was finally dropped in favor of the more experienced Lehmann, 34. Katich could be recalled however if Lehmann fails to recover fully from tire hamstring tear he suffered in the fourth IndiaTest.

"Both Simon and Nathan performed exceptionally in India and it was a very difficult decision to leave them out," said TVcvor Hohns,’chairman of the Australian selectors. "However, Darren is a highly-respected, experienced campaigner and is still our preferred choice at this stage, as long as his injured hamstring is fully recovered," hesaid.

"Darren was the vice-captain for much of the tour in India, and his form over the past 12 months has been very consistent, particularly on the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year where he posted two centuries," he said.

Lehmann has hit five centuries in his last 14 Tests.

Hohns said Clarke had confirmed his position as the hope for Australian cricket’s future with his achievements in India.

"Michael Clarke demonstrated what an exciting prospect he is in India, and we have rewarded his performances in the sub-continent by giving him an opportunity on home soil against NewZealand," lie said.

The selectors also paid tribute to Katich, with Hohns saying they were "very confident that he would play in the Australian Test team again in the not too distant future".

The first Test between Australia and New Zealand begins in Brisbane on November 18 with the second and final Test starting in Adelaide on November 26.