Recalled gloveman Matthew Wade has two one-day internationals against world No.1-ranked South Africa to crow-bar his way into Australia's World Cup squad calculations.
Victorian captain Wade get his chance on the fast, bouncy WACA wicket after selectors rested veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to freshen up him before this summer's Test series against India.
Australia are likely to include just one keeper in their 15-man squad for the World Cup, starting February 14, and selector Trevor Hohns indicated Test vice-captain Haddin remained the No.1 choice.
Hohns also named domestic glovemen Peter Nevill, Tim Paine, Sam Whiteman and Chris Hartley as worthy back-ups with Wade, whose last ODI appearance was Australia Day this year.
"We've gone with Matty but it's really only a selection for the first two games," Hohns said on Wednesday.
"Matty's experience at international level, he's obviously a good bat as shown by his Test record, and we've got full confidence that he'll do well filling in for Brad Haddin."
Michael Clarke, who missed the 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan this month with a back problem, takes the captaincy back from George Bailey while Shane Watson has also been included at the expense of Phil Hughes.
The selection panel included a battery of six pace bowlers and no specialist spinners in the 13-man squad for the initial Perth games (Nov 14 and 16) in the five-match home series, where the Proteas' No.1 ODI ranking goes on the line.
Allrounder James Faulkner and paceman Mitchell Starc have been released to play in Sheffield Shield while in-form NSW quick Josh Hazlewood and West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile have gained recalls after overcoming injuries.
"They're both young, exciting fast bowlers, they've both been in the mix previously and are both very fit now," Hohns said. "We have full faith they will both bowl very well in this form of game for Australia."
Hohns said it was essential limited-over mainstays Starc and Faulkner had the chance for some red-ball bowling in the Shield to further their Test claims.
"It's about getting some long-form cricket under their belts," he said.
"We need them firing in all forms of the game to keep pressure on players who have been selected."
South Africa claimed the top place on the rankings from Australia this week after defeating the Black Caps in New Zealand.
They begin their month-long Australian tour with three T20 internationals in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney before the ODI series begins.
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (v-c), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.
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