USMAN Khawaja's chance to show his hand against the Sri Lankans in Canberra will be cut short, with Cricket Australia completing a backflip -- apparently deciding Big Bash demands are more important than long-form cricket.
Khawaja was one of three batsmen in consideration to play in Hobart against the visiting side next week as Ricky Ponting's replacement.
However, when Michael Clarke became unavailable for Saturday night's game between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, a decision was made to withdraw Khawaja from the last day of the match against Sri Lanka in Canberra.
Instead of completing the match against the touring team, the left-hander will fly to Sydney and replace the Test captain in the T20 game at the SCG.
Khawaja, who is doing well in the Sheffield Shield, was named captain of the Chairman's XI last week.
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said at the time that Khawaja was one who had "been released from their BBL franchises to take this opportunity to further their experience in the long form of the game".
"They are players who have shown some excellent form in recent months and will be looking to enhance their claims for higher honours," Inverarity said.
The Thunder franchise had been upset at losing Khawaja and had lost another drawcard in Clarke.
Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard did not return calls last night, but The Australian understands that there is disbelief within the Test set-up that this could happen.
Perhaps selectors have overlooked Khawaja for the Test squad, which will be announced today. Phil Hughes and Robert Quiney are believed to have the frontrunning for the place vacated by Ponting.
Cricket Australia has cleared the calendar of Shield matches to give clean air to its Big Bash League, which has proved a hit with young fans.
Brisbane Heat was left furious yesterday after Cricket South Africa reneged on a contract to allow Dale Steyn to play and then was left further undermanned when New Zealand's Dan Vettori broke down. Both players will miss the entire competition.
Heat general manager Andrew Blucher said the South Africans had been "unprofessional" in their approach.
"Dale is also unhappy with this outcome," Blucher said. "He was looking forward to the match. He and his manager are embarrassed and upset about the way things have turned out, considering we were crystal clear with what we had communicated to Cricket South Africa.
"We would have imagined that Cricket South Africa and the Cobras (Steyn's local franchise) would have consulted and worked out the various scenarios that would have been involved.
"For that not to happen is quite extraordinary and highly unprofessional."
Meanwhile, Australia's fast bowling stocks are growing thinner by the day after Josh Hazlewood was yesterday ruled out of consideration for the series against Sri Lanka with a foot injury. Other Big Bash withdrawals Ben Hilfenhaus and John Hastings have been ruled out and, along with Clarke, are bound to renew tensions between the franchises and Cricket Australia after Sydney Sixers boss Stuart Clark clashed with CA when Shane Watson was pulled out of the Champions League recently.
Some state and Big Bash team administrators feel the CA medicos are being too cautious in predicting when players may break down. CA issued a statement after both Hazlewood's injury and the Clarke concerns were revealed online by The Australian yesterday.
Howard said Clarke reported lower back stiffness after the Perth Test so needed to rest before next Friday's series opener against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
"Given the amount of cricket Michael Clarke has played in the past month, our medical staff have advised Michael not to play cricket this weekend," Howard said. Clarke did not bowl in Perth but his back was sound enough to chair Ponting from the field after play on Monday.
Concerns have also been raised about Mitchell Starc, who appeared ginger towards the end of his 28.5 overs (6-154) in South Africa's second innings this week.
He remains in doubt for the Sixers' derby against the Thunder.
There is no doubt about Hazlewood, Hilfenhaus or Hastings, however. They are definitely out for the time being.
"Josh Hazlewood reported some left foot soreness in the same region of his foot where he had a stress fracture last season," CA chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said yesterday.
The revelation raises the question as to whether the injury was the reason Hazlewood carried the drinks in Perth.
Most pundits believed the young NSW quick was a shoo-in for the third pace berth at the WACA Ground, and were surprised when Hastings was named in the XI.
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