Selectors instead named two-Test novice Shaun Tait and uncapped seamer Stuart Clark in a 14-man squad that had no room for batsman Brad Hodge and New South Wales quick Nathan Bracken.

In a team missing pace spearhead Glenn McGrath, who is staying in Australia as his wife undergoes cancer treatment, the selection panel opted for a mixture of Tait's promise and Kasprowicz's experience in attack.

"The decision on the make-up of the fast bowling quartet was not an easy one, given that we are without Glenn McGrath for this series," selection chairman Trevor Hohns said.

"We wanted a blend of pace, youth, experience and line and length, and believe we have all of these covered with our selection."

Tait, like Gillespie, failed to impress in the Ashes series but Hohns was full of praise for the 23-year-old who is returning from a shoulder injury.

"He's back bowling at full pace so we're happy that the injury isn't hampering his bowling," Hohns said. "We believe he has a bright future at Test level."

Gillespie's omission will be a bitter blow for the 30-year-old paceman, who has taken 34 first class wickets at 21.85 for this year as he fights to prove he retains the zip that earned him 69 Test caps.

But the South Australian was unable to win over selectors, unlike fellow Ashes discards Martyn, Kasprowicz and Clarke, who was dropped soon after returning from England.

Hohns admitted it was a close call between Gillespie and Kasprowicz, the leading wicket taker in the Australian domestic competition.

"It's considered that Michael's probably bowling fractionally better at this stage of the season," he said.

Kasprowicz, 34, who has earned eight Test recalls in a roller-coaster career, put his latest revival down to a back-to-basics approach he adopted after the Ashes failure.

"I adapted myself to hit the wicket a bit more, which got me back into the Australian side," he told reporters.

Former golden boy Clarke has hit six half-centuries in 17 one-day internationals since being axed and Hohns said he had worked hard for his recall.

"We're very comfortable with the progress he's made," he said, describing Hodge as "unlucky" to be dropped after failing to impress with the bat at domestic level.

The Australian 14-man squad named Tuesday to face South Africa in the three-Test series beginning in Cape Town on March 16.

Squad
Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Michael Kasprowicz, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Warne.