Australia's selectors have replaced Adam Gilchrist with New South Wales wicket keeper Brad Haddin in the VB series one-day squad.
The move has come in an effort to give Gilchrist a rest, with more rotations likely to give respite to some of the team’s weary older players.
Australia has already had a very busy summer schedule having played Test series against the West Indies, South Africa and a World XI, as well as one day tournaments against the World XI and New Zealand.
The chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, revealed that it was always intended to give some of the Australian players a rest throughout the series.
“We’re very mindful of the heavy workload that Adam has and this rest period has been programmed into his schedule since before the VB series began,” Hohns said.
“We’ve done this in the past and we find it gives players a well earned opportunity to freshen up.
"Brad has performed well for Australia previously and we have every confidence he’ll go well this time around.”
The decision to rest Gilchrist has come at the same time as news that the Australian vice-captain has been reported for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.
Gilchrist will have to attend a hearing set for January 25 for the incident which took place in the second game of the VB series against South Africa, and if found guilty is likely to be given a reprimand and a fine of up to 50 percent of his match fee.
The news is likely to anger captain Ricky Ponting who has already expressed his disappointment at Australian players getting themselves reported after Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were previously cited and found guilty of offences during the South African Test series.
