Australia has faced a blow when their two major players are out of the World Cup even before the squad leaves Australia, Michael Hussey and Nathan Hauritz discarded from Australia side due to injuries, Callum Ferguson and Jason Krejza will join the squad in their replacement, which files out to India on 9th Feb to defend the title under Ricky Ponting.
Michael Hussey is a key middle-order batsman whereas Nathan Hauritz is very good spinner in the side, if they lose them, they have no choice to select off spinner Krejza and the batsman Ferguson. The inclusion of Ferguson was not a surprised because he had showed very vital performance at international level over the past couple of years, whereas Krejza was promoted for off-spinner in the squad.
Hussey in particular will be a huge loss, as he is the only Australian in the top ten of the ICC's one-day batting rankings, and he is a renowned finisher who can rescue the side after top-order trouble. Hussey, who suffered a serious hamstring injury during the one-day series against England that resulted in surgery, conceded he would be unlikely to be fit for the first couple of World Cup matches.
Hauritz seemed a more likely candidate to make the cut, after he dislocated his shoulder while fielding during the one-day game in Hobart on January 21 and had surgery in a bid to be fit for the World Cup. He bowled in the nets on Monday and sent down a dozen deliveries at what he called 60 to 70%, but it was not enough to convince the selectors that he was worth the risk in such a big tournament.
Callum has an excellent record in one-day international cricket and played well in the one-day game against England in Sydney recently. Krejza picked up 2 for 53 in his debut one-day international. However, Ponting and Steven Smith both seemed fit enough to play in India while Brad Haddin was also cleared after hurting his knee during the final one day international against England. Ponting is going well after recovering from figure fracture. Australian will play their opening match against Zimbabwe in Ahmadabad on 21st February.
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