Australia Call Steve Smith As Cover For Hauritz

Melbourne: Australia, on Tuesday, included all-rounder Steve Smith as cover for spinner Nathan Hauritz, who injured his right-hand finger during a practice session ahead of the third and final Test against the West Indies in Perth starting on Wednesday.

"Leg spinning all-rounder Steve Smith will join the Australian squad as a standby player for Nathan Hauritz who suffered a knock to the middle finger on his right hand during the team's finals practice session before tomorrow's third Test against the West Indies at the WACA," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Hauritz suffered a blow to his finger at training and is in doubt for the final match of the series, which Australia leads 1-0.

"To ensure sufficient coverage is available the NSP has today named Steve Smith as a standby player for Nathan. Steve is a leg-spinning all rounder who has been identified as an exciting young talent capable of having a significant impact at international level for Australia," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

Smith will join the squad on Tuesday evening in Perth and will return to state duties is he does not make the final XI.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan - 2nd ODI South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn 2nd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 27 runs

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