Test captain Michael Clarke, however, endorsed the wildcard selection of Faulkner, a left-arm seamer, saying the tourists had "maybe" lacked some toughness in the Ashes that he could provide. "I think you've seen so far on this tour he's scored some very handy runs for us," Clarke said. "I think he's been dismissed once in his last five or six innings that he's played, whether that be in tour games or one-day cricket, whatever it is. I think he's a tough competitor. "At this stage of his career he's a bowler who can certainly make some handy runs. He's an all-rounder, he provides that package for us. I certainly believe that he'll play a big part in helping us take 20 wickets and helping us score as many runs as we need to win this Test match. "I think it's the overall package that James brings; his toughness, his performances of late in whatever form of the game he's played and the fact that he's not just a bowler. He can certainly make some very crucial and handy runs for us." The shifting of Watson back to No.3 continues Australia's musical chairs at first drop. Nine players including Watson already have been used in the key position over the past two years since a batsman in that spot scored a century.

Khawaja was dropped after averaging only 19 since being recalled to the side but was only given a three-Test run in the team before being axed. Phil Hughes had been considered his likely replacement but selectors Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh have gone with a left-field option with the series unable to be won. "As we've seen so far in this series, statistics, records, first-class performances haven't meant that much," Clarke said. "It's about finding a way on that day, or over those five days to have success. I know James Faulkner has got the strength to do that whether it be with the bat or with the ball. "He's a wonderful young talent but I think he's got the toughness to mix it with any opposition at any format of the game. He's a fighter, he's a competitor. He mightn't look the best all the time but he'll find a way to stay out there and help his partner go on and make a hundred. "With the ball he's extremely competitive and will find a way to get wickets as he's done so far on this tour and in the shorter forms of the game. He's at you all the time. I think he's the right character for this team, and I think you'll have a good opportunity to see just how much talent he's got in this Test match." Faulkner's selection will bring the number of players used by Australia in the Ashes to 17.

He has been in the top four wicket-takers in the Sheffield Shield for the past three seasons, taking 39 in each of the past two summers. But he is very much a bowling all-rounder, scoring eight fifties in his 37 first-class matches at an average of 30.31. In other news, teenage spinner Ashton Agar has been sent back to Australia after feeling unwell for the past week, Cricket Australia said in a statement on Tuesday. "Ashton has had a mild viral illness for the past week and needs some time to rest and recuperate," Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said. "It has been a long tour and while he has handled the pressure extremely well, we thought it would be a good idea for him to get home as soon possible to have a short break before preparing for the domestic season." Australia: Warner, Rogers, Watson, Clarke (c), Smith, Haddin, Faulkner, Siddle, Starc, Harris, Lyon. JAMES FAULKNER

Born: April 29, 1990 in Launceston, Tasmania Loading ODI BATTING STATS

Matches: 8

Innings: 6

Not out: 2

Runs: 149

High score: 54 (v England, Birmingham, 8 June 2013)

Average: 37.25 ODI BOWLING STATS

Matches: 8

Wickets: 11

Best: 4/48 (v West Indies, Canberra, 6 Feb 2013)

Average: 29.63