Phil Hughes shoulder dislocation provides opportunity for others

Australian left-hand opening batsman Phil Hughes has dislocated his shoulder during off-season training, and is now hoping that the next man in the queue for places in the Australian Test team, does not do quite enough to jump ahead.

Selectors have several options as to how to replace Hughes, one of them being simply to pick the precocious Steve Smith in the squad as a batsman, and name an extra bowler in a squad of 14.

The other centrally contracted batsmen not in the squad include Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges and Cameron White - all likely to be engaged in limited-overs combat in England during the early part of the tour.

Then there is Callum Ferguson, anointed as a Test player of the future by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch, but still in the latter stages of rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

Prescribed nine months off before he can return to action, Ferguson is working on his strength and technique at Adelaide Oval's indoor nets.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the others in the running are Tasmanian captain George Bailey or newly appointed South Australia skipper Michael Klinger.

Judges are also touting talented NSW left-hander Usman Khawaja as an emerging talent.