Melbourne, Sep 24 (IANS) Middle-order batsman Mike Hussey’s hamstring injury has forced him out of Australia’s tour of India for a one-day international series starting Sep 29, and he is being replaced by Brad Haddin, the Cricket Australia announced here Monday.
James Hopes comes in for injured Shane Watson with Australian ‘A’ captain Adam Voges called up as cover for injured Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who is expected to miss the first few games of the seven-ODI series.
“Following the hamstring injury to Ponting during the Twenty20 World Championships, Haddin was added to the squad for the tour of India as cover while Ponting recovered fitness,” said Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.
“An unfortunate hamstring injury to Hussey, also in South Africa, has ruled him out of the tour altogether and as such Haddin has been permanently added to the touring party.”
“Once Ricky has recovered full fitness, Adam will return to Australia,” he added.
Hopes’ call-up is reward for his an impressive 2006-07 domestic season as well as a productive tour of Pakistan with Australia A. He made 144 in a ‘Test’ against Pakistan ‘A’ and took five wickets in the two-match series, as well as striking 55 in the first one-day game of the tour. Voges averaged 44.33 in the three ODIs against Pakistan ‘A’.
The Australian team is scheduled to depart South Africa for India Tuesday for a seven-match ODI series and one Twenty20 game.
The first ODI will be a day-night affair at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore Sep 29.