Usman Khawaja named as captain of the Australia Chairman's XI against Sri Lanka

Usman Khawaja has been named captain of the Australia Chairman's XI for the game against Sri Lanka in Canberra next week.

The 25-year-old left-handed batsman, who has spent the last two summers with Derbyshire, is one of the leading candidates to replace Ricky Ponting in the Australia middle order after the former skipper announced his retirement from Test cricket.

Khawaja, 25, made his Test debut in the Ashes Test in Sydney in January 2011 when Ponting was injured and averages 39.07 in six Test appearances.

The match in Canberra is the only warm-up game for Sri Lanka before the three-Test series against Australia starts in Hobart on 14 December.

"It is a talented team that has an ideal mix of youth and experience," said national selector John Inverarity.

"Usman Khawaja has been nominated as captain. He, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Doolan and Scott Henry have been released from their Big Bash League franchises to take this opportunity to further their experience in the longer form of the game.

"They are players who have shown some excellent form in recent months and will be looking to enhance their claims for higher honours."

CA Chairman's XI: Marcus Harris, Scott Henry, Usman Khawaja (capt), Alex Doolan, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Sam Whiteman (wkt), Luke Butterworth, Chadd Sayers, Matthew Gale, Ashton Turner, Dean Solway.