ICC World Cup 2011: Australia name Michael Hussey in final squad

ICC World Cup 2011: Australia name Michael Hussey in final squad

Mr. Cricket Michael Hussey has been picked in the final 15-member Australian World Cup squad even after suffering a hamstring injury in the first One Day International against England on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

According to the physiotherapist of the Australian team, Alex Kountouris, the player has suffered a hamstring injury. Talking about Hussey, he said, “Scans have confirmed that Mike Hussey sustained a significant left hamstring injury during the first ODI against England at the MCG. The course of management for this injury will be determined in the next 24 hours.”

Cricket Australia would be hoping for an early recovery of the lower middle order batsman. Before the announcement of the World Cup squad, there were rumours that Hussey may not be named in the World Cup squad due to his injury. However, Australia’s cricket governing body has decided to stick with the experience of Hussey and hopes that he manages to return to full fitness by the time the World Cup begins on 19 February, 2011.

Hussey, who has not been in the greatest of forms, was seen struggling to find good touch with the bat during the later half of the 2010-11 Ashes series. He still seemed out of touch as he scored just 21 runs in the first ODI at the MCG on Sunday.

Cricket Australia also decided to retain Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in the squad. Ponting is currently nursing a broken finger, an injury that he sustained in the third Ashes match at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground, Perth. Clarke, on the other hand, is also struggling with his form and has not been able to score big runs throughout the 2010-11 season.

The players to miss 2011 World Cup include the experienced batsman Brad Hodge and young spinner Xavier Doherty. Doherty was fancied by many to make it to the World Cup and his exclusion might be a shock for the likes of former veteran spinner Shane Warne, who had supported the prospects of Doherty in the Australian cricket outfit.

The chairman National Selection Panel, Andrew Hilditch supported the selection of the team and hoped that the national squad would retain its World Cup title. “The NSP has selected a squad we believe is capable of winning a fourth successive ICC Cricket World Cup in sub-continental conditions. As the world's number one ranked one-day team and as the holders of both the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, Australia has been planning for this tournament for some time and we feel this side is well balanced,” he reiterated.

The NSP chairman further justifying the selection said, “One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise.”

Australia’s 15-member squad for the World Cup: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wicketkeeper), Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.