Australia rest Ponting, Gilchrist for NZ series

MELBOURNE, Feb 9 (Reuters) Australia will rest skipper Ricky Ponting and vice captain Adam Gilchrist for the three-match one-day series against New Zealand starting next week.

Cricket Australia named a 13-man squad on Friday with Mike Hussey leading the side and Michael Clarke his understudy for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series starting in Wellington next Friday.

Australian selectors opted to rest their most senior two players to ensure their fitness for the World Cup title defence starting in the Caribbean next month.

Ponting had been struggling with a back injury and his exclusion was precautionary, said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

Western Australian batsman Adam Voges has been included in the squad, as has New South Wales wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

''While his sore back does not prevent him playing cricket at present, we are advised that for Ricky to arrive at the World Cup in the best possible physical shape, his workload should be managed through this period,'' Hilditch said in a statement.

''Gilchrist should use the period after the one-day finals (against England) to allow his body to properly recover in advance of the World Cup.'' The three-match series starts in Wellington on February. 16 and is followed by contests in Auckland on Feb. 18 and in Hamilton on February. 20.

''It is a great honour to be selected as the captain of Australia in Ricky's absence,'' Hussey said.

Australian squad - Mike Hussey (capt), Michael Clarke (vice capt), Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

REUTERS DH PM1205