Phillip Hughes has won a recall to the Australian squad and is on standby for Ricky Ponting while Peter Siddle has also been included in the 13-man outfit for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Hughes has not played a Test since being dropped after two games in the Ashes series, but the opening batsman has convinced Andrew Hilditch's panel he is the man to replace Ponting if he does not recover in time from the left elbow problem suffered in Perth, Cricinfo reported Monday. Ponting, who was struck trying to duck a Kemar Roach short ball, hopes to play but the selectors are being cautious after a run of injures. The physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Ponting, who has been in a hyperbaric chamber to speed up the healing, was having on-going treatment for the problem. Siddle missed the Perth win with a hamstring strain but will play a domestic one-dayer for Victoria Wednesday to build up his fitness. Clint McKay, who debuted at the WACA, holds his place while Ben Hilfenhaus misses out again following a knee problem that ruled him out of the final two Tests against West Indies. Squad: Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (keeper), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger. Younis returns from break Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan returned to first-class cricket Monday after a month-long absence, raising hopes for a swift international comeback by the big-hitting batsman. The 32-year-old was featuring in the five-day final of Pakistan's premier domestic tournament, the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, which began Monday. Younis' Habib Bank side lost the toss to the Karachi Blues, who elected to bat. Younis pulled out of Pakistan's New Zealand tour in November citing poor form, and said he needed a break from international cricket. He last took the field in the third and final one-dayer against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi on Nov. 9. Younis, who hit a triple century against Sri Lanka in February, managed just 22 runs against the Kiwis and Pakistan lost 2-1. Younis also stepped down as captain, arguing he had “lost command” of the side, and was not considered for the current tour of Australia. Mohammad Yousuf took over as skipper. Chief selector Iqbal Qasim last week said Younis would be considered for the five-match one-day series against Australia next month. The series will follow three Tests starting in Melbourne on Dec. 26. While resting, Younis remained out of touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board, but last week made a surprise appearance at a coaching course in Lahore. “I will be available to play for Pakistan whenever needed. I wanted rest, which I have taken,” he told reporters in Lahore.
