Western Australia's Ryan Campbell is the surprise choice as wicketkeeper in the 12-man squad selected to represent Australia 'A' in matches against New Zealand and South Africa next week.

Campbell has played only three ING Cup matches for his state this season, and scored a total of 135 runs from his ten appearances last summer. But, on the back of a thrilling innings of 77 against Victoria last week, the 29-year-old vaulted past New South Wales gloveman Brad Haddin and Queensland's Wade Seccombe to win a berth.

"I gave myself no chance (of selection), really," said Campbell this afternoon.

"I've worked really hard just to get back playing for WA and doing whatever I need to do for our team. I haven't really thought about personal honours at all this season.

"It's very surprising but, in the same breath, it's very pleasing."

Campbell, a clean-hitting batsman and athletic gloveman, also played with Australia 'A' in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons. But he was used primarily as an opening batsman in those games.

"I've been playing a different role this year; people normally think of me as an opening batsman who likes to tee off.

"But my role's changed: I'm batting in the middle order in both forms of cricket and I've changed my game a bit to try and settle our order down. I'm therefore giving myself more of a chance to be consistent - that's something that I'm really working hard at doing."

Haddin, meanwhile, was one of only a handful of players from his state to miss out on selection in Australian teams today. Five Blues were included in Australia's VB Series squad, and another five of the 12 positions in the Australia 'A' squad - seen as the country's second-tier group of one-day cricketers - also went to players from New South Wales.

Pending the outcome of a fitness test, captain Darren Lehmann will have fellow South Australian Jason Gillespie at his disposal as the speedster returns from a shoulder injury. But the remainder of the positions in the side's attack will be filled exclusively by New South Welshmen. Left armer Nathan Bracken and tall right armer Stuart Clark are the other pacemen chosen; all-rounder Shane Lee will contribute medium pace; and Stuart MacGill and Mark Higgs are the slow bowling options.

In a team that contains few genuine all-rounders, as many as five specialist batsmen have also been selected. South Australia's Greg Blewett and Queensland's Jimmy Maher are likely to fill opening batting roles, while Western Australians Simon Katich and Mike Hussey will join Lehmann in the other key positions.

Along with Haddin and Seccombe, Queensland's Martin Love, Victoria's Brad Hodge and Tasmania's Damien Wright - each of whom has starred at domestic one-day level over recent seasons - appear particularly unlucky to have missed selection.

Australia 'A' meets New Zealand at the 'Gabba on 8 January before flying to Adelaide to battle with South Africa two days later. Both are day-night games and precede the three-cornered VB Series of one-day international matches between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The full squad is: Darren Lehmann (c), Simon Katich (v/c), Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell, Stuart Clark, Jason Gillespie, Mark Higgs, Michael Hussey, Shane Lee, Stuart MacGill, Jimmy Maher.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd