Friday, October 26, 2012
Hughes hopes of recall for South Africa series dashed
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Phillip Hughes's hopes of breaking back into Australia's test side for the series against South Africa suffered a blow on Friday after the opening batsman was named in an Australian A team to take on the Proteas in a tour match in Sydney.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity told reporters that none of the Australia A lineup for the three-day match starting next week was likely to figure in the first test starting in Brisbane on November 9.
Australia's Phillip Hughes watches his shot during the fourth day of their third and final test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Colombo September 19, 2011. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte"We had a long discussion about that but in the end we thought we'd separate it and we'd keep the test team and they would play their Shield matches and then we'd assemble in Brisbane on the Sunday," Inverarity said, referring to the concurrent Sheffield Shield domestic championship.
"And we'd have the Australian A team that didn't contain any of the players, or the intention of any players - I mean, there could be injuries and then it could change.
"But the intention is that none of the Australia A players at this stage will be in that (test) squad."
Lefthander Hughes scored a pair of centuries in a stunning test debut against South Africa in 2009, but struggled to cement his place and was dropped after a poor series against New Zealand last year.
Hughes, 23, whose struggles with short-pitched bowling have seen him dumped from the national side twice, had been in impressive form for adopted state South Australia.
Four-test allrounder Andrew McDonald will captain the Australia A side which also features former test wicketkeeper Tim Paine and allrounder Steve Smith.
Allrounder Mitchell Marsh was scratched from selection for the tour match after breaching team discipline with domestic Twenty20 side Perth Scorchers after having a night out in South Africa during the Champions League tournament.
South Africa, number one in the ICC test rankings, play three tests in Australia with matches in Adelaide and Perth following the opener at the Gabba.
Australia A team:
Andrew McDonald (c), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Alex Doolan, John Hastings, Moises Henriques, Phillip Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Rob Quiney, Steve Smith
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
- Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
- BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
- It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
- Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
- Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
- Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
- Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
- Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
- Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
- Golf governing bodies ban controversial putter from 2016
- CAS reject Murofushi appeal against IOC election block
- Cycling: Wintry weather may force more Giro changes
- Cricket: Warner fined for Twitter outburst
- Garcia apologises for 'fried chicken' jibe at Woods
- Tomic will play French Open despite troubles - Woodbridge
- Winger Ioane faces fitness race for first Lions test
- Cheruiyot expecting first child, aims to return in 2014
- Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
- Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
- Zhang Jike retains world crown to secure fourth major title in a row
RSS
