Australia called up batsman Callum Ferguson on Tuesday for the sixth one-day international against England in Sydney after World Cup hopeful Shaun Marsh was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Australia called up batsman Callum Ferguson on Tuesday for the sixth one-day international against England in Sydney after World Cup hopeful Shaun Marsh was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
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Ferguson, 26, will replace Marsh for the final two games of the seven-match ODI series, clinched by Australia with a 51-run victory in Brisbane on Sunday.
Nursing a hamstring injury, Marsh was unable to field at the weekend and team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said scans had confirmed a low-grade strain -- a blow to his World Cup hopes. "He will be unavailable for the two remaining ODI games against England and his return to cricket will be determined by his progress over the next week," said Kountouris.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Ferguson had an "excellent record in one-day internationals for Australia and is in good form this season." "We are sure Callum will seize the opportunity that comes following the unfortunate hamstring injury suffered by Shaun Marsh," he said.
The right-handed Ferguson, who averages 46.07 from 26 ODIs, has bounced back from a devastating knee injury sustained in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand and will be looking to press his case for inclusion in Australia's injury-hit World Cup side.
Marsh was not named for next month's World Cup but is on standby for Mike Hussey, also suffering hamstring trouble, and skipper Ricky Ponting, who is nursing a finger injury. Spinner Nathan Hauritz also remains under a cloud after dislocating his shoulder in the first ODI clash, an injury for which he will need keyhole surgery.
Short-form specialist Shaun Tait looked likely to start in Sydney on Wednesday after performing well in the nets. He strained his thigh earlier in the series, casting doubt on his World Cup campaign.
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