Australia omit Casson from preliminary list

SYDNEY - Test newcomer Beau Casson was left out of a 30-man preliminary Australian squad announced Thursday for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September.

The left-arm wrist spinner played in the final Test of the recent series against the West Indies in the Caribbean following Stuart MacGill's sudden retirement, but selectors said he needed to play more one-day cricket.

"Beau Casson is unlucky to miss out after a promising start in Test cricket but needs more exposure in one-day cricket before being considered for Australian selection," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in announcing the initial squad.