Western Australia will enter the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament without Michael Hussey after the star batsman opted to play for his Indian Premier League franchise instead.The WACA released its 15-man squad for December's lucrative tournament in India, with Hussey, who will line up for Chennai Super Kings, the notable exclusion.
The Warriors had long been bracing themselves to lose Hussey's services for the tournament but will be well compensated with a six-figure transfer fee from the Super Kings.
Even without Hussey WA's line-up still packs plenty of punch, with big-hitting trio Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach and Luke Ronchi part of the squad.
All three played in the inaugural IPL but are eligible to play for WA because their IPL teams failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Marsh was the star of the show in India, snaring the IPL's coveted orange cap as the competition's leading run scorer.
Test speedster Mitchell Johnson, who made the switch to WA in the off-season, was ineligible for selection because he was contracted with Queensland when the Warriors qualified for the tournament.
Marcus North will captain the WA side.
"Many of the players we have selected have experienced playing in India, whether that be on national duty, in the Indian Premier League or on our pre-season tours," coach Tom Moody said.
The Warriors open their Champions League campaign in Bangalore against Pakistan's Twenty20 champions Sialkot Stallions on December 4.
IPL champions and the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals and South Africa's Nashua Dolphins join WA and the Stallions in group B.
Group A pits Victoria up against Hussey's Super Kings, South African domestic champions Nashua Titans and England's Twenty20 Cup premiers Middlesex.
WA squad: Marcus North (capt), Adam Voges (vice-capt), David Bandy, Arron Crawford, Liam Davis, Brett Dorey, Theo Doropoulos, Ben Edmondson, Aaron Heal, Matt Johnston, Trent Kelly, Steve Magoffin, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Luke Ronchi.
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