Ex-skipper Ricky Ponting has been dropped from Australia’s one-day side after a poor run of form in the first five matches of the tri-series.

The 37-year-old’s one-day career could now be over after scoring 18 runs at an average of 3.6 in the series against India and Sri Lanka.

Captain Michael Clarke has returned to the squad of 13 following a minor hamstring complaint while star allrounder Shane Watson has been included for the first time this season after overcoming hamstring and calf complaints which kept him out of the entire home Test season against New Zealand and India.

Pace bowler Ryan Harris, who was rested from Sunday’s win over India at the Gabba, is back for left-armer Mitchell Starc.

Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said 375-game veteran Ponting had an outstanding record in the one-day arena.

“The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport,” he said on Monday.

“He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.

“He is held in the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this.

“Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Michael Clarke’s recent absence for the sake of the team is yet another example of his selfless attitude and team-first focus.”

Watson returns as vice-captain of the side, a position he held in the Test and one-day teams before breaking down with injury in November.

Inverarity also said Victoria’s Matthew Wade would remain the wicketkeeper of the one-day side, holding out struggling veteran Brad Haddin.

“The (selectors) made the decision that Matthew Wade is now the preferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team,” Inverarity said.

“The intention at this stage is to have both Matthew and Brad Haddin in the West Indies together for the duration of the tour.”

Clarke’s one-day side have three wins from their five matches and lead the table on 14 points, four points ahead of India and seven points clear of Sri Lanka who’ve played only four matches.

Australia’s squad to play Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday and India on Sunday at the SCG: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Matthew Wade, David Warner.