Michael Clarke has been included in Australia's World Cup squad
Sunday 11 January 2015 09:01, UK
Michael Clarke has been included in Australia's World Cup squad as he continues to work his way back to full fitness after hamstring surgery.
Clarke underwent an operation after injuring himself in the first Test against India a month ago, and has only just started running again.
That makes him unlikely to feature when the co-hosts kick-off the tournament against England on February 14, but Cricket Australia has indicated it will draft a replacement if he is not passed fit by the time they take on Bangladesh a week later.
The same party will tackle England and India in the Carlton Mid Tri-Series this month.
"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."
George Bailey will continue to lead the side in Clarke's absence having retained the vice-captaincy.
Bailey has proved a dependable stand-in in the past but there had been a temptation to promote Steve Smith, who has flourished since inheriting the Test reins.
Elsewhere in the squad, Nathan Lyon misses out in favour of Xavier Doherty for the solitary spinner's slot.
Lyon has played just eight one-day internationals, but made a late push for selection with 23 wickets in four Tests against India.
Doherty, with 57 ODI caps to his name, is seen as the most dependable limited-overs option.
Australia will carry four specialist seamers, with 21-year-old tyro Pat Cummins edging out veteran Ryan Harris for a spot alongside Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Australia squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, 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
