Henriques covers Watson absence

Moises Henriques - cropped

Moises Henriques has been called up for Australia's next tri-series one-day international against England on Friday, after Shane Watson became the latest member of the home squad to be hampered by injury.

Watson will miss the contest in Hobart in order to rest a tight right hamstring, the experienced all-rounder joining Mitchell Marsh, David Warner (both hamstring) and George Bailey (suspended) on the sidelines.

With their options limited, Australia have responded by drafting in Henriques, although the 27-year-old is only set to play one game before returning to domestic Twenty20 duty as captain of the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

National selection panel chairman Rod Marsh said: "Moises is one of our leading all-rounders, he has international experience, and in Shane Watson's enforced absence it made perfect sense to draft him in for this match.

"The intention is to release Moises, along with Cameron White and Shaun Marsh, after the match as it is our expectation that we will have George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh and David Warner available for selection for our match in Sydney [against India] on Monday."

Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in ODI captain in the absence of Bailey and the injured Michael Clarke, had earlier explained the reasons for Watson's omission, with the Cricket World Cup less than a month away. 

"He [Watson] bowled this morning, I think he's just a little bit tight," said Smith.

"I don't think it's anything too major. It's more of a precautionary measure to make sure he's right for the World Cup."

Australia have won each of their two tri-series matches to date and can guarantee a place in the final by beating England on Friday.

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