Higgs chosen for ICC Knock-out

New South Wales Blues all-rounder Mark Higgs has been chosen as the replacement for Shane Warne in the Australian squad to take part in the ICC Knock-out tournament in Kenya.

Higgs, 24, a left-arm spinner and left-handed batsman, was selected to make the tour after Warne pulled out to have surgery on his left knee.

Stuart MacGill was the selector's original choice but he was unavailable due to his impending wedding, giving Higgs his opportunity.

Higgs said: "This is out of the blue but I'm obviously happy to get the call. I was just looking forward to having a good season with the Blues but I'll take this and run with it."

Higgs topped the New South Wales batting averages in last season's Mercantile Mutual Cup with 205 runs at 102.5 and a strike rate of 105.13, including 74 in 71 balls in the semi-final against Queensland at Allan Border Field.

With the ball, he is capable of bowling either orthodox left-arm finger spin or wrist spin.

The squad plays its first game, against the winners of the preliminary round clash between India and host country Kenya, on October 7.

The semi-final is scheduled for 13 October, with the final set to be played two days later.