Clarke named to lead the 15-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup and Carlton Mid ODI Tri Series – if he can make a fitness deadline
Australia has announced the 15-man squad that will be seeking to win the nation’s fifth ICC Cricket World Cup when the tournament gets underway in Melbourne in February, with Michael Clarke named to skipper the side as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery. However, Clarke is currently recovering surgery on his hamstring and has been given a deadline of Australia’s second pool match, against Bangladesh on February 21, to prove his fitness or he will be replaced in the squad with George Bailey to take over the captaincy.
Australia’s Cricket World Cup squad: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey (vc), Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson. “Captain Michael Clarke will lead our World Cup campaign should he recover from his injury,” said National Selection Panel chairman Rod Marsh. “He is one of the world’s best batsmen and we want to give him every chance to prove his fitness for a tournament as important as this one.
“Our medical staff are pleased with his progress following hamstring surgery in December and he continues to undergo thorough rehabilitation work with a view to being ready to play an important role in the World Cup. “We have said that if Michael has not recovered by our second match of the tournament against Bangladesh on 21 February, we will replace him in the squad. He understands that and is working tirelessly with medical staff to get back to fitness.” The chief selector added that allrounder Mitchell Marsh was progressing well from his injury and was expected to be fit for the opening match of the tournament. “Mitchell is progressing well with his rehab and we expect him to be available at some stage during the tri-series with the aim to have him well prepared for the World Cup.” The selectors also opted for Tasmanian Xavier Doherty as the squad’s specialist spinner over the Test team’s No.1 spinner Nathan Lyon. “Xavier is a reliable spin bowler who we know can perform well in the 50-over format,” said Marsh. “We also have other spin options in Glenn Maxwell , Steve Smith and Michael Clarke if required.” The selectors did not name a back-up player for Clarke should he fail to prove his fitness by the cut-off date, with Shaun Marsh a likely contender. Marsh came into Australia’s Test team when Clarke was ruled out through injury after the first Test against India in Adelaide.
Young NSW quick Josh Hazlewood was given the call-up after impressing in the November ODI series against South Africa as well as the Commonwealth Bank Test Series against India, with veteran quick Ryan Harris overlooked.
There was also no place for firey Western Australian quick Jason Behrendorff, who has impressed so far in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, with Mitchell Starc included in the squad.
Brad Haddin will keep wicket in the World Cup with Matthew Wade missing out after holding the gloves during the November ODIs. Australia first won the World Cup in 1987 before winning three consecutive trophies in 1999, 2003 and 2007. India won the last World Cup in 2011. Australia’s World Cup Fixtures February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ) March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena
