Younis Khan set for South Australia debut

Younis Khan, the Pakistan batsman, will make his first appearance for South Australia in Wednesday's one-day match against New South Wales in Adelaide. Younis was the Redbacks' prize signing during the off-season as they searched interstate and overseas for men who could help improve their dismal on-field record from the past few years.

The arrival of Younis, who a week ago was playing Twenty20 internationals in Canada, has spelled trouble for Mark Cosgrove, who was dropped from the 12-man FR Cup squad. Cosgrove, the most recent South Australia batsman to play for Australia, has found himself out of the state side in both formats this summer.

Younis, a veteran of 58 Tests and a some-time stand-in captain of the Pakistan side, will follow his FR Cup debut with a Sheffield Shield outing against New South Wales starting on Friday. Mark Sorell, the South Australia coach, said their new No. 3 Younis was not expected to singlehandedly turn around the Redbacks' fortunes.

"He has just got a genuine passion for the game, a very infectious character," Sorell told AAP. "His record obviously speaks for himself ... but he genuinely loves the game of cricket and wants to do well. He has already had an impact on our guys."

The axing of Cosgrove, who is only 24, is a strong reminder to South Australia's developing batsmen that they must perform or risk losing their places this season. The arrival of Younis and the former Victorian Michael Klinger, who made a century in his first Sheffield Shield outing for his new state, will increase the pressure on players like Cameron Borgas and Callum Ferguson, who have been on the scene for several years without quite fulfilling their potential.

"It's an unfortunate call and at this stage Mark Cosgrove has missed out," Sorell said. "It is tough on Mark, and anyone missing out you could say it's difficult with Younis coming in.

"But that puts a bit of pressure on our overall group which is not a bad thing for where we're at. Everyone knows now they have got to start performing because there is pressure on our group from outside with guys missing out like Mark Cosgrove, and pressure on guys when they get the opportunity to make the most of it."

The fast bowler Allan Wise, who did not make the starting line-up in the Sheffield Shield opener, has been cut from the first-class squad to make room for Younis. The Redbacks began the season with a one-day loss to Victoria and a draw against the same opponents in the Sheffield Shield.

FR Cup squad Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Younis Khan, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Aaron O'Brien, Graham Manou (capt, wk), Mark Cleary, Dan Cullen, Shaun Tait, Allan Wise.

Sheffield Shield squad Daniel Harris, Tom Plant, Younis Khan, Michael Klinger, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Aaron O'Brien, Graham Manou (capt, wk), Mark Cleary, Dan Cullen, Paul Rofe, Shaun Tait.