Australia call up Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh as cover for World Cup

Australia's last group stage game against South Africa proved to be a dampener of sorts. After registering convincing victories in succession, the Aaron Finch-led side fizzled out at Old Trafford on Saturday as a spirted South African unit got the better of them. The team from Down Under were outclassed with both bat and ball to go down the hill by a margin of 10 runs.

However, it was not just the defeat that caused worries to the team management. Middle order batsman Usman Khawaja and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis seemed at discomfort during their stay at the crease. While the former was forced to retire hurt owing to a hamstring injury, the latter was seen getting medical attention from the physio for a side strain. With Shaun Marsh already being ruled out of the tournament, the injury setbacks have been raising concerns among the Aussie fans.

While both the players are yet to undergo scans to determine their fate in the ongoing tournament, the team management has called up Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh as cover up for the upcoming contest(s). It should be noted that both Wade and Marsh have been in terrific nick for Australia A that is currently touring the UK.

Australia will be playing England at Edgbaston in what is expected to be a blockbuster semi-final on Thursday. The move to call up Wade and Marsh has elicited good response from some of the former Australian cricketers. Former skipper Michael Clarke called it a "great selection" and opined that Wade must play in the encounter against England. "Wade must play! He is in unbelievable form and it's the way he is batting-aggressive, intent, looking to take the bowlers on! Exactly what Australia needs to beat England in the semi-final," Clarke wrote on Twitter.