Tasmanian left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, NSW all-rounder Steve Smith and batsmen Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson were today named in Australia's Ashes squad for the First Test in Brisbane - a squad that has blown out to 17 players.   

The quartet have been brought in to cover for Simon Katich and Michael Clarke, who are both struggling with injury, as well as any contingencies to arise from the Australia A game against England in Hobart, and two Sheffield Shield games over the coming week.

Among the notable omissions were NSW opener Phil Hughes, Victorian captain of the Australia 'A' team Cameron White and Victorian middle-order batsman David Hussey.

Queensland speedster Ryan Harris has been picked, as has left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, even though both have battled their own injury problems in recent weeks.

The squad was announced at the Sydney Opera House by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch at 11.30am.

The selection of Doherty, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has cast doubt over Nathan Hauritz's role in the team after the Queenslander failed to impress on the tour of India and had a mediocre Shield game against Victoria last week.

Doherty, the 23 year-old Tasmanian, would be a shock selection if given the nod ahead of Hauritz and Smith but his selection was recognition - Hilditch said - of his tight line and performance in Shield cricket in the past 12 months.

The squad is as follows: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Harris, Hauritz, Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith and Shane Watson.

"Nathan Hauritz has performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months for Australia and one of the biggest decisions we will need to make is whether we go into the first Test in Brisbane with a right-arm off spinner or with the variation of a left-arm orthodox bowler," Hilditch said.

"Xavier Doherty has been very impressive in both limited overs and first-class cricket, in particular last season and the start of this season, and it will be a great opportunity for us to observe both of the spinning options in the Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Tasmania at the SCG this week.

"Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson have both enjoyed extremely good interstate seasons for New South Wales and South Australia respectively and richly deserve the opportunity to be considered for selection in this first Test side. The Australia A game against England in Hobart this week is a particularly important aspect of our preparation for what will be an amazing Ashes series."

Khawaja, Ferguson and Smith get a chance in that Australia A game to press their claims for a berth in the first Test side. Khawaja and Ferguson are uncapped at Test level while Smith will be looking to add to his two Test matches that he played in India on their last tour of the sub continent.

Khawaja, the Pakistan-born left hander, has made strong inroads in the first-class arena after making his debut at the start of 2008 for New South Wales. The 23 year-old has averaged 52 in first-class cricket with the bat, already amassing six centuries and seven 50s.

Khawaja has experienced a strong start to the domestic season, including a double-century at the start of season as well as scores of 23 and 42 in his last Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.

Smith, however, failed to impress against Victoria with 2-123 in what was a tough game for the leg spinner.

Hughes' omission comes after the New South Welshman struggled in the Shield match against Victoria over the weekend with 12 in the first innings and 39 in the second. The opener has averaged 54 in his domestic career, amassing an impressive 13 hundreds and 21 half centuries, but his recent form may have counted against him in the eyes of the selectors.

Katich is expected to recover from a broken thumb while Clarke has been included despite the recurrence of a back injury that has hampered him throughout his career. The injury flared in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria, which ended on Saturday.

The No.4 is expected to be rested from the next NSW Shield match, against Tasmania at the SCG beginning on Wednesday. WA, meanwhile, is due to take on Victoria at the MCG at the same time.