Nathan Hauritz has been given a chance to earn a place in Australia's World Twenty20 team after being named in a 15-man national group for the tour to New Zealand.

Right-arm off-spinner joins 14 other cricketers already chosen for the Twenty20 matches versus West Indies on Sunday (Hobart) and on Tuesday (Sydney).

Andrew Hilditch, Chairman of selectors stated that Nathan deserved another break in the shortest form after being neglected for this month's triumph over Pakistan in Melbourne.

Andrew said, "Nathan has proven himself to be our best spinner in Test and one-day cricket and with the important role spin plays in Twenty20 cricket, Nathan deserves the chance to try and establish himself in Australia''s Twenty20 side ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean."

According to Fox Sports, Hauritz will have an option to press on his claims when Australia play their final two Twenty20 internationals before the World Twenty 20 in the Caribbean in opposition to New Zealand on Feb 26 in Wellington and on Feb 28 in Christchurch.

"Australia's one-day side has enjoyed virtually unparalleled success in ODIs over the last 10 months with series victories in the UAE, England, at the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa, in India and the two home series against Pakistan and the West Indies," Hilditch added.

The group for the two-Test series versus New Zealand, commencing on March 19 in Wellington, will be declared at a later date. (With Input from Agencies)