Star opener David Warner leaves Australian ODI squad for family reasons and is replaced by in-form Usman Khawaja
Warner out, Khawaja called up
Australia have drafted in Usman Khawaja for the next two Victoria Bitter ODI Series matches as cover for David Warner who has left the group on paternity leave.
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Warner leaves the group to be with wife Candice with the couple expecting their second child imminently.
Warner discusses his plans after the recent SCG Test
Khawaja will join the squad in Brisbane ahead of Friday's second clash against India following Australia's five-wicket win in match on Tuesday in Perth.
"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," National Selector Rod Marsh said.
"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."
Posted by David Warner on Friday, December 25, 2015
Khawaja enters the squad in the form of his life, starring for Australia in the Test arena and the Sydney Thunder in the KFC Big Bash League.
The elegant left-hander scored three Test centuries in five innings this summer, bursting back onto the international stage with a career-best 171 against New Zealand at the Gabba, his first Test since August 2013.
Against the white ball Khawaja has been just as prolific, registering an unbeaten 109 for the Thunder against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG before blazing a 42-ball 62 against the Melbourne Renegades on Monday.
WATCH: Khawaja scores majestic T20 century at the MCG
Khawaja is the second addition to Australia's one-day squad after it was today announced Victorian allrounder John Hastings would join the squad in Brisbane to allow Mitchell Marsh extra rest at home in Perth before returning to the group for the third ODI in Melbourne on Sunday.
Hastings has battled a left shoulder injury this summer but is hopeful he can help the Australian team continue their stellar ODI form.
"It's been a tough couple of weeks actually," Hastings said on Tuesday.
"I've had a bad run with having a few accidents in the nets .. but I'm feeling really good at the moment, the body is pretty good.
"If I do get an opportunity hopefully I can take it with both hand and contribute to wins.
"That's all I want to do is try and get in there and contribute to a team win."
WATCH: Hastings takes four wickets for the Melbourne Stars at the 'G
Hastings has relished the challenge of bowling at the death in limited-overs cricket and hopes to combine with Victorian teammate and Australia's latest debutant Scott Boland.
"It's good to have one death bowler in the side but you need another guy bowling at the other end as well for sure," Hastings said.
"Scotty (Boland) and I formed a really good partnership in the Matador Cup this year and I'd love that to continue if we could.
"To do it for Australia would be brilliant.
"I've seen him grow over the past five or six years into what he is today and I'm really proud of him going out making his debut for Australia.
"It gives you goosebumps because he is like a little brother almost and I'm really rapt for him and I hope he does well."
Australia squad for the second VB Series ODI in Brisbane: Steve Smith (c), Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja, James Faulkner, Matthew Wade, Scott Boland, Joel Paris, Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings, Kane Richardson, Shaun Marsh