The left handed batsman Usman Khawaja of Australia cricket team has been ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup-2019 and Matthew Wade has been called into team to replace him.
Khawaja who was looking in sublime touch during the tournament walked out retired hurt during South Africa match owing to hamstring problem. Khawaja is not the only injury concern for Australia with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also suffering from pain.
Australian selectors have drafted in Wade and Mitchell Marsh in the squad. Both have been part of Australia –A team and left Brighton Sunday morning for Birmingham, the location of Australia’s blockbuster semi-final showdown with tournament hosts England on Thursday.
Both Khawaja and Stoinis are set to undergo scans today before their future in the World Cup is determined, with both players still officially a part of Australia’s 15-man Cup squad at this stage.
However, Australia coach Justin Langer confirmed that Khawaja’s hamstring strain has ruled him out of the World Cup, with Wade poised to replace him in the squad, pending official lodgement of the ICC paperwork.
Langer also said Stoinis has suffered a right side strain, after injuring his left side earlier in the tournament, with the Aussies to make a call on his availability to face England in the next 24-48 hours.
“It’s such a pity for (Khawaja), for someone who’s been so integral to how we’ve been playing,” said Langer. “Like Shaun (Marsh, who broke his arm on Thursday) I feel that sad for him that he’s going to miss the World Cup semi-final.
“Matthew Wade is coming up, he’s in great form, he’s had a great 12 or 18 months back home but he also just scored two hundreds (for Australia A) so he’s in great nick.
“Mitch Marsh is going to come on standby for Marcus Stoinis just to see how he comes up … If they have to come in they’ll be ready to step up.”
It’s the second time during the tournament that Marsh has been called up to cover Stoinis, who suffered a side strain in Australia’s loss to India before he passed a fitness test ahead of the Bangladesh match at Trent Bridge.