MICHAEL Clarke has been dropped from the Australia squad for the third Test against West Indies starting on Friday in Adelaide.
Opening batsman Justin Langer will return to the side after missing the first two Tests with injury with Mike Hussey expected to drop down filling the middle order berth vacated by Clarke.
Clarke has averaged just 24 since his most recent Test century a year ago.
Hussey did himself a massive favour by starring in the second Test victory over the tourists that retained the Frank Worrell trophy for Australia today.
The West Australian, who hit the winning run at Bellerive Oval, was named man of the match after his stirring debut Test century in the first innings.
Hussey cracked 137 including 19 fours in an opening stand of 231 with Matthew Hayden while filling in for the injured Langer.
Hayden, who passed 1000 Test runs for a record fifth consecutive year with his second innings 46, was the only wicket to fall as Australia reached its target of 78 with only that alarm.
Seamer Nathan Bracken was also named in the 12-man squad for Friday, but leg-spin bowler Stuart MacGill is tipped to retain the last bowling spot with the Adelaide Oval pitch likely to suit the spinners.
Australia squad: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Bracken.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17314341-23210,00.html
NSW are even stronger now that Clarke is back. He had to be dropped from the National side though, he wasn't in form. A year in the Pura cup should do him wonders. A few double 100s against the other domestic sides and he'll be back.