Australia’s middle order ‘cup of woe runneth over’

SYDNEY - Australia’s middle-order concerns ahead of the Ashes series are no closer to resolution following Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson’s cheap dismissals in their state games.

Playing for Western Australia, Hussey registered an 18-ball duck on the first day of the Sheffield Shield match against Victorian Bushrangers at the MCG, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The 35-year-old however may be relieved after Khawaja and Ferguson failed to back the Australian selectors decision to include them in the provisional 17-man Ashes squad for the first Test against England.

Khawaja scored 13, while Ferguson scored seven, as Australia A were dismissed for 230 after being sent in by England captain Andrew Strauss at Bellerive Oval.

It was also a disappointing outing for fringe candidates Phillip Hughes and Cameron White.

Hughes failed once again, falling for just two after edging a rising ball from fast bowler Chris Tremlett to Strauss at first slip.

White (five from 23 balls) was clean-bowled by Tremlett with a ball that jagged in slightly and uprooted off-stump. (ANI)