Australia made two forced changes on Monday to the squad to face the World XI this week, with paceman Shaun Tait and allrounder Brad Hogg sidelined with injuries. Hogg withdrew from the three limited-overs cricket internationals, in Melbourne on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, after injuring his left knee in training last week and aggravating the problem on the weekend.
Tait, 22, who made a promising Test debut against England on the recent Ashes tour, injured his right shoulder and was also ruled out of the one-dayers and the six-day Super Test in Sydney from October 14-19.
Hogg and Tait will undergo surgery this week. Victoria state captain Cameron White and New South Wales fast bowler Stuart Clark, both uncapped, were drafted into the Australian squad as replacements.
Clark was called into the Australian squad during the Ashes series as cover for the Glenn McGrath, but didn't play. Tait said he experienced pain while bowling in a club match on the weekend and a review following practice on Monday showed he had torn cartilage in his shoulder.
He could be sidelined for up to three months.
Earlier, Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Hogg's injury could give White an opportunity to break into the Australian lineup. "Brad has been ruled out with a knee injury _ it's bad news for him, a setback," Ponting told a news conference. "But ... it's a good opportunity for (White), an up-and-coming leg-spin bowler. He's a very exciting young player."
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Hogg's injury could give White an opportunity to break into the Australian lineup. "Brad has been ruled out with a knee injury _ it's bad news for him, a setback," Ponting told a news conference. "But ... it's a good opportunity for (White), an up-and-coming leg-spin bowler. He's a very exciting young player."
{{/usCountry}}White, 22, has been groomed for international cricket for several seasons and has been captain of Victoria state since he was 20. But he hasn't played for Australia at the top level and his inclusion comes at a time when the limited-overs squad is being overhauled in the wake of the Ashes loss to England. Regular opener Matthew Hayden and fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz were dropped from the limited-overs squad. The loss of Hogg, a 34-year-old one-day specialist, further reduces the experience in the squad.