http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 drafted in as cover for Ponting
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-South-Wales-c823 left-hander Usman Khawaja, who has had a great run in the Australian domestic season, has been rewarded with a call-up to the Ashes squad as cover for injured captain Ricky Ponting. The move is a precautionary one, as the
Australian skipper is expected to be fit in time for the Boxing Day Test against England.
Ponting fractured a finger in his left hand while attempting to take a catch off Jonathan Trott, during the Aussie surge towards a series leveling win in the third Ashes Test in Perth last week. Ponting immediately left the field after
the ball bounced off his hand, and into the gloves of Brad Haddin on the third afternoon of the Test, which http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 won by 267 runs.
While the right-hander is expected to regain full fitness before the start of the fourth Test, the selectors have decided to draft Khawaja in case of any eventuality.
"While the National Selection Panel (NSP) are confident that Ricky Ponting will be available for the Boxing Day Test, through an abundance of caution we have named Usman Khawaja as the standby player," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the
panel, said. He added that, "Usman richly deserves this opportunity following his excellent form at domestic level last season and continuing on this season."
Khawaja has been on the fringe of national selection for the past few months. He came close to making the team during Australia’s tour of England, where he was part of the squad that played http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in a two Test match series. Khawaja however
failed to get a run against the country of his descent, and also missed out on the two Tests in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 before the Ashes series.
He was also included as cover for Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, when the vice-captain was struggling with back trouble on the eve of the Ashes series opener at the Gabba in Brisbane last month. Since then he has continued his impressive form in the premier
domestic first class competition, the Sheffield Shield. He is currently playing in a game in Sydney for his state team. He scored 78 in the second innings of the game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Queensland-c834.
On the other hand, Australian batting coach Justin Langer is extremely confident that Ponting will recover in time. ''I would be amazed if Ricky doesn't play in this Test, he is that tough physically and mentally. At one-all, Boxing Day
Test, a chance to win the Ashes, he will definitely be there," Langer told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Langer added, ''His injury might work in his favour. He has been trying so hard and this might help him relax and get ready for the Test match. Rather than working too much and doing batting beforehand, this might be the breather he wanted.''
Khawaja is the only new name to be included in the squad for the fourth Test, which means that the two spinners Steve Smith and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949 remain a part of the team. Smith, who played in the Perth Test was not used for even a single over
in the entire match, and will be hoping to play a greater role at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the ball spins more than it does on the Perth pitch.
Squad: Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Michael Beer, Ben Hilfenhaus, Usman Khawaja.
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