The pair will be joined for the tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa by big-hitting fast-bowlers Ben Cutting and Kane Richardson, with the latter two chosen ahead of 50-over stalwart Clint Mckay, who endured a lean period for Australia A in the just-completed series in Darwin, won by India A.

The series will be the first appearance in Zimbabwe by the senior team since May 2004.

Phillip Hughes, who last week made an Australian men's record of 202 not out, was also passed over for the tour, despite the vacancy at the top of the order caused by David Warner missing the tour due to the impending birth of his first child.

While Marsh recently scored a first-class double-century for Australia A, new chief selector Rod Marsh said it was the 22-year-old's bowling that had been pivotal in his selection.

"He's capable of opening the bowling or coming on through the middle overs and can do so with good pace which is pleasing," he said. "It's the sign of a true all-rounder if they can be in the side for either their bowling or batting and he is certainly getting close to that, which is great for Australian cricket."

Since Marsh debuted in late 2011 his only one-day appearances came in the ill-fated Champions Trophy campaign last year, with injury issues and, occasionally, disciplinary issues thwarting his path to regular selection.

Lyon has usurped – temporarily, at least – Tasmanian left-armer Xavier Doherty as the Australian one-day team's preferred tweaker. His recall will be his first for almost two-and-a-half years. His only preceding appearances were two matches in early 2012 – one in Australia and the other in the West Indies.

Rod Marsh said he and his fellow selectors were keen to try him again in international limited-overs matches, a significant development given the World Cup is just over six months away.

The head selector was also bullish about the prospects of Cutting, 27, and Richardson, 23, who between them played four one-dayers at the end of the 2012-13 home summer.

"Ben Cutting has been in terrific form for Australia A and bowled his heart out. He also showed outstanding form in the Ryobi Cup [one-day] competition last summer and has earned his spot," Marsh said.

"Kane Richardson has been bowling beautifully up in Darwin under [new selector] Mark Waugh's watch and his figures have been terrific. We now want to see him continue that form for the national side."

Since Australia's last one-day series, at home to England earlier this year, the only casualties besides Mckay and Doherty are all-rounder Daniel Christian and stand-in wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, while Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson are all out due to long-term injuries.

Marsh said Mckay, Doherty and Hughes "can all consider themselves unlucky" at missing selection.

"We would have loved to pick Phillip but it's quite difficult to find the spot for him with a strong batting line-up. He was in superb form during the recent Australia A one-day matches, including a stand-out double-century, and the [panel] will certainly be continuing to watch him closely.

"We're very aware of what both Xavier and Clint offer and both have played important roles for the [one-day] team and performed very well, but with the World Cup edging closer we have to take opportunities to also consider players like Cutting, Lyon and Richardson who have all been pressing claims."

The squad will have a four-day camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane before departing for Harare on August 20.

SQUAD: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey (vc), Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitch Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Shane Watson.

AUSTRALIA's TRI-SERIES FIXTURE
Mon 25 Aug: ODI vs Zimbabwe, Harare.
Wed 27 Aug: ODI vs South Africa, Harare.
Sun 31 Aug: ODI vs Zimbabwe, Harare.
Tue 02 Sep: ODI vs South Africa, Harare.
Sat 06 Sep: ODI final, Harare (subject to qualification).