Australia A call for Hughes

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Worcestershire’s hopes of avoiding relegation from Division One of the LV= County Championship have been hit by news that Phil Hughes has been called into Australia A’s squad for their second four-day match against England Lions.

Hughes, a centurion in this week’s defeat to Warwickshire, replaces Peter Forrest, who is returning home with a minor side strain picked up in the drawn series-opener at Old Trafford.

Should he feature at Edgbaston, the left-hander will be unavailable for Worcestershire’s next championship game against fellow strugglers Lancashire, which starts 24 hours later at New Road.

Hughes, 23, has represented Australia in 17 Tests. His form in England this summer has been excellent and he currently leads the run-charts in both domestic limited-overs competitions.

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