A move from New South Wales to South Australia and a stint with Worcestershire in English county cricket reaped reward for batsman Phillip Hughes this week, when he was included in the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Replacing the retired Ricky Ponting, Hughes was named in a 12-man party that also brought recalls for fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle on Thursday, but didn't feature the left-handed Rob Quiney.

Back in the Test fold for a third time, after he was dropped on in the wake of a poor stretch of form against New Zealand last year, Hughes looked forward to making his recall count.

"It is actually really special this time. The sacrifices that I have made in the last 12 months have been quite big. I knew I had to do them, so to me, I can go in there with a fresh mind," insisted Hughes.

"The sacrifices that I have had to make have been quite huge, really. To move away from my family and my close friends in Sydney, and to go to Worcestershire for a season and now to come to South Australia, it has been a huge change for me.

"I had to change a couple of things but I feel comfortable. I have had chances before but I'm grateful for this one and I just hope I can really get in there and cement my spot."

The left-handed Hughes has cherished some solid consistency for his new state side recently, scoring two centuries and three half-tons in 10 innings in List A and first-class competition, and is expected to bat at three in the order come the series opener in Hobart on 14 December.