Former Hampshire batsman Phillip Hughes has been called up by Australia to replace the injured Shaun Marsh for the tour to South Africa.

Marsh, 30, has been struggling with a calf problem and has not sufficiently recovered enough to take his place in the travelling squad, Cricket Australia has announced.

That has led to 25-year-old Hughes, whose last Test appearance was in the 347-run defeat to England at Lord's last summer, being drafted in.

National selector John Inverarity said: "As Shaun Marsh's calf injury has not improved as much as required over the past four days he has been withdrawn from the Test squad for the tour of South Africa.

"Phillip Hughes had been placed on standby and now comes into the Test squad as a replacement for Shaun. Phillip will head to South Africa as soon as possible."

Australia play three Tests in South Africa as they look to build on their 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England, with the first match starting on February 12 in Centurion.

South Africa are the top-ranked Test team in the world while Australia are in third place behind India.