Khawaja flies in for county action

Usman Khawaja will join Welsh county side Glamorgan earlier than planned to provide cover for fellow Australia batsman Shaun Marsh.

The 34-year-old Marsh has been called up to Australia's squad for their forthcoming one-day series with England, which begins on June 13 in London.

Cricket Australia granted Khawaja permission to join Glamorgan early and he will be available for the county's next three County Championship division two fixtures, starting against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Khawaja, 31, who has played 33 Tests for Australia, initially signed as Glamorgan's second overseas player for the T20 Blast tournament, though the left-hander will doubtless relish the opportunity for some four-day cricket in UK conditions with a view to next year's Ashes.

"We have been in negotiation with Cricket Australia and Usman ever since Shaun was called up to the Australian one-day team and we are delighted he will be joining us early as cover," Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris said.

"Usman is a very talented cricketer, who has a fantastic Test record, and I'm sure he will do a great job coming in for Shaun and be a positive influence on our young squad."

Khawaja will miss Glamorgan's final Vitality Blast group match after being named in the Australia A squad to tour India from August 17.

Morris continued: "Usman is a very talented cricketer, who has a fantastic Test record. I'm sure he will do a great job coming in for Shaun and be a positive influence on our young squad."

Despite arriving early, Khawaja will miss Glamorgan's final T20 Blast group match after being selected in the Australia A squad playing in India from August 17.

The 31-year-old will be available for the county's opening 13 fixtures of the competition, starting with an away match at Hampshire on July 6 - but will miss the final game against Surrey.