THERE was Ashes misery for ex-Hampshire all-rounder Shane Watson when Australia announced their 16-man tour party this morning.
Watson, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in the winter, was left out of the Test squad - though he was named in the one-day party.
The player, who scored a century on his championship debut for Hampshire against Somerset last summer and an unbeaten 97 in the Twenty20 Cup win against Kent, has said he won't be returning to the Rose Bowl this year.
But now he could be open to new offers as both Hampshire's main overseas signings for 2005, Shane Warne and Simon Katich, were named in the Ashes squad - meaning Hants will be seeking replacements from early July onwards.
Katich also features in the one-day squad, meaning Rose Bowl manager Paul Terry must seek a replacement in June as well.
Uncapped Lancashire batsman Brad Hodge has won his first Ashes call-up at the age of 30.
He plundered more than 1,000 first class runs for Leicestershire in 2004 but turned down a two-year contract to stay at Grace Road last summer and agreed to join Lancashire in October.
Hodge got the nod over Yorkshire batsman Darren Lehmann for the squad role when Cricket Australia announced the players to tour England today. Australia will be at full strength, and they will also bring along young paceman Shaun Tait for the experience.
He finished as top wicket taker in the Australian domestic Pura Cup season, and is duly rewarded - though he recorded figures of 0-176 off just 18 overs playing for Durham last season!
Test squad: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin, Jason Gillespie, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Shaun Tait, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath.
ODI squad: Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath.
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