Melbourne: Captain Ricky Ponting was rested, while a hamstring injury ruled out opener Shaun Marsh from the 13-man Australian squad announced for the next two One-dayers of the five-match series against New Zealand.

Adam Voges and rookie Callum Ferguson have been brought in to replace Marsh and Ponting for the next two matches on Friday and in Sydney on Sunday.

Michael Clarke will take over captaincy in Ponting's absence with Hussey as his deputy in the next two matches of the series which Australia trails 0-1 after the defeat in Sunday's nail-biting contest in Perth.

Hilditch said that resting Ponting was a difficult decision considering the current slump in the Australian team's form.

Squad: Michael Clarke (c), Mike Hussey (vc), Nathen Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Cameron White, Adam Voges.