Usman Khawaja called up by Australia to fill David Warner absence

12 January 2016 03:23

Australia have called batsman Usman Khawaja into their squad for the second and third one-day internationals against India to cover for David Warner.

Opener Warner is returning home to join his wife Candice, who is due to give birth to their second child soon.

A Cricket Australia statement read: " Khawaja will join the squad in Brisbane and, at this stage, will remain for matches two and three of the five-game series, at The Gabba (15 January) and at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (17 January)."

Warner was named in the squad and initial expectations were that he would be available for the first two games. He made only five in the first ODI, which Australia won by five wickets in Perth on Tuesday.

National selector Rod Marsh said: "Usman has been in fantastic form this season and was unlucky to miss out on a place in our squad for the Victoria Bitter ODI Series in the first place.

"This call-up is a reward for that form and it is great to have someone of his quality to step into the squad in David's absence.

"We wish both David and Candice well and look forward to welcoming David back into the squad when circumstances allow."

Khawaja made 144 and 56 against West Indies in the Boxing Day Test, having recovered from a hamstring injury. He also hit 62 from 42 balls as an opener in Sydney Thunder's Big Bash League defeat to Melbourne Renegades on Monday.

Source: PA