Watson makes way for Siddle

Australia's experiment of playing two all-rounders in the same side has been short-lived after Shane Watson was dumped from the squad ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Adelaide which begins on Friday.

Victorian paceman Peter Siddle replaces Watson in the 12-man squad after the Queenslander could only manage scores of one and five and match figures of 2-54 during the first Test in Brisbane.

The change confirms that Andrew Symonds is now well and truly back in favour as the national selectors' preferred Test all-rounder following a three-month absence from the national team due to disciplinary reasons.

National selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch intimated Watson was a tad unlucky to be left out of the team following a reasonable recent tour of India which saw him score 170 runs at 24.28, including his highest Test knock of 78 in the second Test at Mohali, and 10 wickets at 32.10, including his best Test bowling figures of 4-42 in the fourth Test at Nagpur.

"It is obviously disappointing for Shane Watson to be omitted from the Test 12 after playing well for us during the four-Test period in India and this week at the Gabba," Hilditch said.

"We have been very pleased with Shane’s development, but for the Adelaide Test our intention is to play a specialist spinner rather than the make-up used successfully in the first Test."

"Having made that decision we thought it was important that Shane took the opportunity to play for Queensland to ensure he had played as much cricket as possible leading in to the remainder of what is a very important Australian summer."

Australia leads the two-Test series against the Black Caps 1-0 following its 149-run victory at the Gabba on Sunday.