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Bailey ruled out of PM's XI game

Cartwright called up as CA boss discusses scheduling issue that means Test stars miss T20 series

Western Australian all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has another chance to impress Australian cricket selectors after being named as a replacement for George Bailey in the Prime Minister's XI.

Bailey has been ruled out of the Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in Canberra on Wednesday after aggravating a hamstring and buttock injury during Tasmania's Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia.

Brilliant Bailey boosts Tigers at Blundstone

Cartwright was man of the match in the win against Bailey's Tasmania on Sunday, scoring 94 in the first innings and an unbeaten 27 off 17 balls in the second dig.

The 24-year-old made his Test debut for Australia against Pakistan in Sydney in January and national talent manager and interim national selector Greg Chappell wants to see more.

"While it's disappointing to lose George through injury, this is another exciting opportunity for Hilton," Chappell said.

"Hilton comes into the game in strong form after impressing with the bat in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield win against Tasmania, and we hope he can continue his form for the Prime Minister's XI against Sri Lanka."

Cartwright falls shy of Shield century

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland insists Australia's depleted T20 stocks won't detract from the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Overlapping schedules meant T20 regulars Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell are unavailable for the series as they prepare for Australia's Test series in India.

With two-thirds of the squad missing from Australia's last ICC World T20 campaign 10 months ago, selectors have turned to the likes of Ben Dunk, Michael Klinger, Billy Stanlake, Jyhe Richardson, Ashton Turner and Tim Paine.

However, Sutherland was adamant the series would still catch the eye of the public despite a notable lack of star-power.

"It's unfortunate (David Warner) won't be here, and some of the others in that Test team," Sutherland told reporters in Geelong on Monday.

"But at the same time we've got a very strong T20 team, basically the best of the best in the Big Bash League, and I'm sure they'll put on a very good showing against Sri Lanka."

Sutherland acknowledged there could be similar fixturing issues in future years.

"There's nothing ideal about the schedule," he said.

"It evolves and unfolds from year to year - we have challenges with that.

"But at the same time ... a number of players are getting well-earned opportunities to represent their country and put their hand up.

"And who knows, in two or three years’ time when we host the World T20 here in Australia they may well be the players that are walking out for Australia."

Beginning on Friday at the MCG, the series then moves to Geelong on Sunday before finishing at the Adelaide Oval on February 22.