Hughes to miss England’s final tour match

Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes have been withdrawn from the Cricket Australia Invitational XI to play England in the tourists’ final Ashes warm up match at the SCG.

The pair will now play for their states in Sheffield Shield instead, with Callum Ferguson called in as a batting replacement for the four-day match starting on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia team performance general manager Pat Howard said Khawaja had been released to play for Queensland in their home match against NSW because of several injuries in the Bulls squad.

Howard also said the selectors decided to replace Hughes with South Australia teammate Ferguson in the Invitational XI to give Ferguson another chance against international opposition, because he only had limited time at the crease for Australia A in the rain-affected match against England in Hobart last week.

“In light of Callum’s selection, Phil Hughes, who has played a lot of international cricket in recent months will remain with South Australia for its next Shield match,” said Howard.

The Invitational XI contains a strong batting line-up alongside a second-string NSW bowling line-up, with NSW’s frontline bowlers all away at the Shield game in Brisbane starting on Wednesday.

Last month CA yielded partially to England’s request for stronger opposition in the tour match after it was originally slated to be played by a NSW XI.

“In selecting the final XI, we have tried to be flexible given the needs of particular states and individual players following the latest round of first-class matches across the country,” said Howard.

NSW bowling coach Geoff Lawson will coach the Invitational XI.

Cricket Australia Invitational XI: Ed Cowan (Tas), Aaron Finch (Vic), Callum Ferguson (SA), Adam Voges (WA), Ben Rohrer (NSW), Ryan Carters (NSW), Peter Nevill (capt, NSW), Stephen O’Keefe (NSW), Josh Lalor (NSW), Chris Tremain (NSW), Nic Bills (NSW).

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