Lehmann and Kasprowicz dropped

Darren Lehmann and Michael Kasprowicz have been omitted from Australia's team for the final Test against Pakistan at Sydney, which starts on January 2. This means that Stuart MacGill will return to the side after last playing the Kandy Test against Sri Lanka in March 2004, while Shane Watson, the 23-year-old highly rated allrounder, will finally make his Test debut.

Lehmann's exclusion wasn't entirely surprising, given his poor run of late - his last 12 innings, dating back to the home series against Sri Lanka last year, have fetched him just 320 runs at 26.67 - but for Kasprowicz, it was a cruel New Year's gift after his outstanding performances last year - 47 wickets in 13 Tests at 23.74.

Ricky Ponting, however, stated that the changes were made keeping the conditions at Sydney in mind, and that Lehmann, already 34, would still be in the reckoning for future series. "We think it's the best balanced side for this opposition and these conditions," said Ponting. "There was a lot of talk about which way we should go - should we keep the same team that has done well in all conditions of late. There was a fair argument for that, there's no doubt about that."

Talking about Lehmann, Ponting said: "As far as I'm concerned he hasn't been dropped. He's just been left out of the side because of us trying to get the balance right for the team. He's totally accepted that. It's not the end of him."

Ponting also wholeheartedly backed the inclusion of Watson: "We've all known Shane's potential for a long time now. The way he has improved over the last 12 or 18 months ... he's bowling quick and his batting has come on in leaps and bounds. Have a look at him technically now compared to 12 months ago; he's a lot better player. We've got no worries about his abilities."

Ponting admitted, though, that breaking the news to Lehmann and Kasprowicz was tough. "It's certainly a hard thing to go to somebody and look them in the eye and tell them they're missing out on a game," said Ponting. "I know how much it means to every player in the dressing room to play for Australia. When you have that taken away it's hard to deal with and it's certainly hard for me to do.

"But both Darren and Michael accepted it really well there and they understand it is for the betterment of the team for this game. They're happy to cop it and get on with it and get back in the side very soon."

The pitch at the SCG looked dry, and was expected to provide significant assistance to the spinners for most of the Test, a factor which influenced the selectors. "They [Shane Warne and MacGill] are two of the best in the world," Ponting said. "Stuey knows conditions here like the back of his hand and his record here is absolutely outstanding and Warney's isn't much different.

"It's a great prospect to have them both in the side. Stuart really deserves his opportunity ... his form has been outstanding. Pakistan have never been great players of legspin bowling. We think as this game goes on, having those two absolute quality legspinners in the side is going to be the hardest bowling for Pakistan to face. It should be exciting to watch."

Australia 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 7 Shane Watson, 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Glenn McGrath, 11 Stuart MacGill.