Marcus North to replace Adam Voges in Australia Twenty20 squad

Cricket Australia today advised that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has replaced Adam Voges in the Australian Twenty20 and the One-day International squad for the Tour of South Africa 2009 with Western Australia all-rounder Marcus North.

Voges is getting married in Perth during the ODI series in South Africa and the NSP has replaced Adam for the duration of that series.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: “Adam was selected in the Twenty20 and ODI squad for the VB tour of South Africa. On being informed by Adam that he is to be married during that series, Adam requested consideration be given for him to fly back to Australia for the wedding. This would have rendered him unavailable for at least one if not two ODI’s of the five match series. Given the risk of injury in Adam‘s absence which could have left the Australian squad one batsman short for the tour, the NSP weren’t able to meet that request. Accordingly Adam informed us yesterday that he was withdrawing from the tour. Obviously this is a difficult decision for Adam to make and the NSP understands the position he’s in and the decision he’s made.

“The NSP has replaced Adam for the Twenty20 and ODI tour with Marcus North. Marcus was closely considered for original selection given his good form, which included a century in the Ford Ranger Cup immediately prior to the South African tour. That coupled with his excellent form since arriving in South Africa has led to his inclusion in this squad. We’re sure Marcus is in prime form to take this opportunity.”