Brett Lee could make a shock early return from injury for Australia in Friday's Commonwealth Bank Series clash with Sri Lanka as former skipper Ricky Ponting stands in as captain for the injured Michael Clarke.
But there is still no place for out-of-favour wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who said after being left out for the first three games of the series that he'd been dropped, contradicting chairman of selectors John Inverarity's assertion he had been 'rested'.
Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade's impressive performances for Australia in both Twenty20 and one-day internationals so far this season have given selectors little choice but to retain him.
Clarke has been ruled out of the match against Sri Lanka in Sydney with the hamstring strain that he suffered in Sunday's loss to India in Adelaide but selectors remain hopeful he will be able to return for this Sunday's battle with India in Brisbane.
Cricket Australia had said last week when they revealed Lee's foot injury that he could miss between four and six weeks but Inverarity said the veteran fast bowler 'is making a good recovery from his toe injury and will be given rigorous fitness tests before Friday's ODI fixture'.
Batsman Michael Hussey also returns after being rested on Sunday, along with Ben Hilfenhaus who had been in the squad earlier in the series as cover but has been recalled with Ryan Harris to be given a few days off to manage his load and because he's 'carrying some minor niggles'.
And while he still isn't ready for a return to international action following a calf injury that has sidelined him for three months, all-rounder Shane Watson is likely to play for NSW in the Sheffield Shield against Western Australia after getting through a grade game unscathed at the weekend.
With Clarke's absence only likely to be a short-term one, Inverarity said selectors opted for Ponting rather than explosive batsman David Warner.
"After careful consideration the NSP (National Selection Panel) has asked Ricky Ponting if he would captain the Australian ODI team in Michael Clarke’s absence," Inverarity said.
"David Warner is a young player making his way. He displays considerable leadership potential, but the NSP is of the view that he should not, at this moment, have the added responsibility of captaincy thrust on him."
"David has been gaining valuable experience under Michael Clarke's captaincy and now he will have the opportunity to grow his leadership skills further as vice-captain to Ricky Ponting."
Australia squad:
Michael Clarke (c for Sunday), Ricky Ponting (c for Friday), David Warner (v-c), Dan Christian, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade