'Dumped' Cowan thrilled to lead Australia XI against Sussex

Australian batsman Ed Cowan will captain the XI squad in a three-day match against Sussex from Friday at the Sussex County Cricket Club ground, even though he has been dumped from the first and the second Tests.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, current captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris are all being rested in preparation for the resumption of the Ashes Test series, in which Australia trail 2-0.

The report also said that Australian Institute of Sport scholar Ashton Turner has been included in the XI as the afore-mentioned players have been rested from the game.

Stating that it is great honour for him to captain an Australian XI on an Ashes tour, Cowan said that even though he would rather have a week off if he were in the team, he has been given a good opportunity to get back in the team by putting runs on the board.

According to Cowan, an opportunity to score runs is a habit that a player wants to adopt permanently.

Meanwhile, the report said that coach Darren Lehmann has advised his team to take a relaxed approach into a match in which their batsmen hope to rediscover some run-scoring form ahead of next week's third Test at Old Trafford.