MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Australia’s selectors yesterday announced their 15-man World Cup squad to challenge for their fourth successive title with no room found for Test pacer Peter Siddle.
The 26-year-old has been one of Australia’s leading fast bowlers in recent months but his place has gone to inexperienced all-rounder John Hastings in a surprise move, as the selectors opted for variety.
“Victorian John Hastings has been selected as he adds variety to our bowling options,” said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.
“We feel his bowling is well suited to subcontinent conditions and his all-round skills with bat and ball add to the flexibility of the squad.” The 25-year-old Hastings played two One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 International last year.
Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty, who made his international debut late last year, will join Siddle on the sidelines but veteran batsman Michael Hussey has been included despite suffering a hamstring injury last Sunday.
Resurgent fast bowler Brett Lee leads the attack with Shaun Tait and the left-arm pair of Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson included. Hilditch said the side was a balanced one, packing key players who helped to orchestrate Australia’s third World Cup triumph in the Caribbean back in 2007.
“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,” Hilditch said. “Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all also part of the victorious 2007 ICC cricket World Cup squad that went unbeaten in the Caribbean, so there is plenty of character in this group of Australian cricketers.” Australia will be led by Ricky Ponting who is still recovering from a hand injury sustained during the Ashes.
SQUAD: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
