Ashleigh Barty is to spearhead Australia's new-look Fed Cup tilt in next month's World Group clash against last year's finalists the United States.
The 22-year-old Barty - who earlier this month became the first Australian woman to reach the last eight of her home grand slam for 10 years - was named along with Daria Gavrilova, Priscilla Hon, Kimberly Birrell and Astra Sharma.
Veteran Samantha Stosur and world No.49 Ajla Tomljanovic were not among the five players named by Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik for the first-round showdown in North Carolina on February 9-10.
"This is a quality team and I'm very happy with our selection," Molik said.
"Ash has had an incredible summer and she loves the Fed Cup team environment.
"It's very exciting to see her step into a leadership role and I know she'll set the standard in terms of professionalism."
The Americans will be without world No.4 Sloane Stephens and the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.
While world No.13 Barty is in form and Australia's undisputed No.1, the remaining spots in the four-player line-up are up for grabs.
World No.46 Gavrilova, has a 3-5 record in Fed Cup singles while Birrell (ranked 157th) is the only other selected player to have played in the team's event, losing her only match in 2016.
Queenslander Hon has experienced Fed Cup as an 'orange girl' while Sharma has received the call for the first time after a maiden singles main draw win at Melbourne Park, where she also made the mixed doubles final.
"We are really thrilled to be back in the World Group for the first time since 2015, this tie is a great opportunity for the girls' to prove the strength of women's tennis in Australia right now and I think it's going to be a great battle," Molik said.
The Americans have named world No.17 Madison Keys, Sofia Kenin, Nicole Melichar and world No.23 Danielle Collins, who recently reached her first grand slam semi-final at the Australian Open.
The winner of the tie will face Germany or Belarus in the semi-finals on April 20-21.
