Australia opening batsman Ed Cowan has backed Phil Hughes to make an impact in the top order, after the latter was called up to replace the retired Ricky Ponting in the side for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Ponting retired from international cricket after the series against South Africa this month, and Hughes was drafted into the side ahead of Rob Quiney, based on his weight of runs for South Australia this season.

The Tasmania batsman said: "Phil is a great person to come into the team, a guy who's re-earned his spot through weight of runs and that's always great to see.

"We'll be behind Hughesy and I'd imagine he'll bat at three. Hopefully he can score some big runs for us moving forward."

Cowan also commented on the deck at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart ahead of the first Test, saying it looks good for batting and could just get better as the game progresses, unlike other decks that deteriorate day-by-day.

He said of his home ground: "I think it'll be a pretty good batting wicket, having just had a look at it. The Shield wickets over the last couple of years have been good to bat on if you're willing to bat time and that suits my game.

"It feels like a wicket that I've conquered probably over the last couple of years in bowler-friendly conditions. We're used to playing on pretty juicy wickets, but having seen the wicket out there at the moment it looks in pretty good nick.

"I think it's been a wicket that's almost accelerated the game in reverse. There are grounds around the world and around the country that deteriorate as the game goes on. This probably gets better to bat on and history suggests that.

"To get results in Shield cricket, the games have to move forward at some stage. It's probably moved forward at the start of the game rather than the end."