Khawaja ruled out of World Cup, Wade to replace him

Ahead of their high-profile semi-final clash against England at Edgbaston, Australia have been dealt a massive blow as top-order batsman and incumbent No.3 Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the World Cup. He will be replaced in the squad by wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade. The Aussies are also sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, with Mitchell Marsh being called up as his backup.

Khawaja sustained a hamstring injury while playing against South Africa during Australia’s final group stage match in Old Trafford, which they ended up losing. Khawaja has been ruled out of action for three to four weeks and will now concentrate on getting fit for the Ashes.

Speaking on Khawaja’s injury, head coach Justin Langer said:

“Ussie’s got a hamstring strain so he’ll be out for probably three to four weeks which is a real shame but we have to work hard on getting him up for the Ashes now. Such a pity for him, he’s been so integral to how we’ve been playing. Like Shaun [Marsh] I feel sad for him that he’s going to miss the World Cup semi-final.”

Langer also revealed that Matthew Wade would fly in as Khawaja’s replacement with Marsh on standby for Stoinis:

“Marcus is the same, got another strain in his other side actually so we are working through that at the moment and we’ll have to make a decision on him in the next 24 to 48 hours. Not in the final XI yet but Matthew Wade is coming up. He’s in great form, he’s had a great 12 or so months back home but he’s also just scored two hundreds in one-day cricket so he’s in great nick. And Mitch Marsh is going to come on standby for Stoinis to see how he comes up.”

It will be now interesting to see who replaces Khawaja in the playing XI. Will it be Wade who has been in sensational form over the last 12 months or Peter Handscomb who earlier replaced the injured Shaun Marsh in the squad?