Western Warriors fast bowler Matthew Nicholson was today called into the Australian squad for the coming series against Zimbabwe to replace injured Queensland paceman Scott Muller.

Nicholson flies out of Perth on Wednesday, October 6 to join his Australian team-mates who depart from Sri Lanka the same day.

Nicholson (24) made his Australian debut against England in the fourth Test of the Ashes series at the MCG last December, finishing with figures of 1-59 and 3-56 in his only Test appearance.

The Zimbabwe series begins with a tour match at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (October 8-11) then continues with a one-off Test match at Harare Sports Club (October 14-18). Three one-day internationals will be played on October 21 (Bulawayo) and October 23 and 24 (Harare).

After debuting for WA in 1996-97, the right arm fast bowler has played 10 first-class matches, taking 40 wickets at 27.40.

He snared career-best figures of 7-77 against England at the WACA Ground last October and finished an outstanding 1998-99 with 37 first-class wickets at 24.00 before groin surgery forced him to miss WA's final three Sheffield Shield matches.