MELBOURNE, Feb 5: Australia selectors opted for the 20-year-old Phillip Hughes to replace retired opener Matthew Hayden as they named the most inexperienced squad in a generation for the three-Test tour of South Africa on Thursday.

Australia, coming off their first Test series loss on home soil in 16 years and needing to win the return series in South Africa to retain their number one Test ranking, also had to contend with retirements and injuries to frontline bowlers in naming the squad.

Hughes, a stylish left-hander who has scored four hundreds for New South Wales, won a three-way race to fill the opening slot in the 14-man squad created when 103-Test veteran Hayden quit following the 2-1 home series loss to South Africa last month.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who made his debut at age 21 in 1995, said Hughes deserved a chance.

“He [Hughes] has done absolutely everything in his power to give himself the best chance to be picked, his record for NSW has been outstanding,” Ponting said.

Australian selector Andrew Hilditch had no doubts Hughes would be “up to the job” after just 17 first-class matches.

“It’s one of the most exciting things I’ve had to do as a Test selector, picking a 20-year-old player who’s scoring that volume of runs under pressure,” he said. “We probably haven’t done this since Ponting. It’s pretty exciting.

“If it is successful, which we’re sure it will be, it’s going to be a great thing for Australian cricket.”

Hughes, who scored 891 runs at 74 this season, is part of a squad that only contains three survivors of Australia’s last tour to South Africa in 2006.

The “ultimate dream at such a young age is to play for your country and now I’m one step closer,” Hughes said.

The search for a quality spin bowling option to replace retired Shane Warne continues, with 36-year-old Victorian Bryce McGain earning a call up along with finger-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Hughes edged Phil Jacques, returning from a back operation, and Chris Rogers for the top order position alongside Simon Katich.

If Hughes and McGain start in the first Test at Johannesburg on Feb 26, they’ll represent different ends of the spectrum on their debuts.

Hughes will be the youngest player to win his first cap since fast bowler Craig McDermott made his debut at age 19 in the 1984-85 series against the West Indies. McGain would be the oldest to make his debut since Bob Holland got his first start at age 38 in the same 1984-85 series.

With Brett Lee and Stuart Clark unavailable because of injuries, 27-year-old Mitchell Johnson, who has 78 wickets in 18 Tests, is the most experienced of the pacemen.

Joining him in the pace ranks are Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus.

“Whilst the experience and ability of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will be sorely missed, it does create great opportunities for these young men,” Hilditch stated.With Andrew Symonds suspended from the tour and Shane Watson injured, Andrew McDonald was retained as an all-rounder after his Test debut at Sydney last month and will compete for the No 6 batting spot with Marcus North, a surprise inclusion.

“This is an extremely challenging, but in the same breath very exciting, period in Australian cricket,” Hilditch expressed. “We have gone through immense change in the last couple of years with many of the true legends of Australian cricket leaving the game.

“We are also enduring an unprecedented run of injuries to many of our contracted players. That being said, with all this has come great opportunity as the side rebuilds.”

Hilditch believed touring South Africa was one of the most difficult assignments in world cricket.

“South Africa has an extremely strong side and will be extremely tough, particularly in home conditions,” he stressed.

“We have the utmost faith in the young group of Australian cricketers coming through. Whilst the next 12 months will undoubtedly be extremely testing and challenging, we are confident that the new breed of Australian cricketers will hold Australian cricket in a strong position moving forward.”

Hayden, 37, decided against trying to win selection for the Ashes tour later this year after averaging just 23.93 in his last nine Tests. He scored 8,625 runs at 50.73 in his Test career.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Marcus North, Peter Siddle.—AP