Hobart: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson will miss the Friday's Tri-Series ODI against England in Hobart due to an injury. He will be replaced by Moises Henriques who is also an all-rounder.
According to Cricket Australia, "Henriques will link up with the squad in Hobart Thursday evening and, as a result, will miss the Sydney Sixers - Sydney Thunder KFC Big Bash League (KFC BBL)encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground."
Watson bowled in the nets on Thursday but reported a hamstring issue and most unlikely to be risked with the World Cup looming next month.
"Watto is a bit tight in the hamstring," We've got to talk to the selectors ... we're not 100 per cent sure of the 11 yet," said Australian captain Steve Smith.
However he did not believe Watson had a serious injury issue. "I don't think it's anything too major, more of a precautionary measure to make sure he's right for the World Cup."
Smith confirmed that Shaun Marsh would take over the opening batsman spot left vacant as David Warner also rests a hamstring complaint.
However, the 27-year-old Henriques, along with Shaun Marsh and Cameron White - two other players drafted into the Australia squad for Friday's match - will be released to their franchises for the KFC BBL semi-finals that are scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday.
Explaining the inclusion of Henriques, national selector Rodney Marsh said: “Moises is one of our leading all-rounders, he has international experience, and in Watson's enforced absence it made perfect sense to draft him in for this match."
Smith said Australia, unbeaten after two Tri-Series matches, were well-placed but he was wary of England after their nine-wicket win over India at the Gabba on Tuesday.
"We're playing some very good cricket at the moment," said Smith. "England played a very good game the other day against India. It was pretty much a full-package victory for them. They're a quality side with some very dangerous players so we're going to have to be on our best to beat them tomorrow and in the World Cup as well, so we've just got to keep on improving."
Australia squad: Steven Smith (captain), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Starc, Cameron White.
