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Phil Hughes into Aussie squad as cover for Ricky Ponting for Boxing Day Test
December 21, 2009
Australia have drafted New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes as cover for injured captain Ricky Ponting for the first Test against Pakistan at the MCG starting Boxing Day.
Australia expect Ponting to overcome his elbow injury and play, but have put Hughes on standby should the 35-year-old Ponting be forced out of his first Test in five years.
Ponting was hurt when struck on the elbow by a Kemar Roach delivery on the first day of the third Test against the West Indies at the WACA Ground.
The selectors also included paceman Peter Siddle in the 13-man squad, who has overcome the hamstring soreness that kept him out of Australia's win in Perth.
But there was no room for fellow paceman Ben Hilfenhaus despite him returning to cricket for his club side on the weekend.
Cricket Australia said Hilfenhaus reported more knee pain after he took four wickets for his club University.
Hughes, 21, was included in the squad after his good recent form which included a century for NSW in the first innings of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Newcastle.
The left-hander made a scintillating start to Test cricket in South Africa in February, but was dropped after the second Test against England at Lord's in July.
Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hughes's elevation was to ensure "there is adequate cover in the event that Ricky Ponting does not recover as quickly as is hoped.
"The national selection panel has taken the opportunity of including Phillip Hughes in the squad given his exciting debut at international level against South Africa, his recent form in Sheffield Shield cricket and our view that he will be an important player for Australia moving forward.''
Siddle will play for Victoria in Wednesday's Ford Ranger Cup match against NSW at the SCG to get some match practice.
