Australia rocked hard as Mike Hussey and Nathan Hauritz ruled out of ICC 2011 World Cup
The Australian team has been dealt with a severe blow on the eve of the ICC 2011 World Cup, as injury fears turn into nightmares. Two important cogs in the wheel, Mike Hussey, and, Nathan Hauritz, are ruled out after failing to recover from injuries in time.
As is usually the case, some one’s misfortune is some one else’s case and the injuries are a gain for Callum Ferguson and Jason Kretjza, who are replacing the duo in the team.
The Australian selection committee announced that Hussey and Hauritz were not fit to tour the Subcontinent for the tournament.
As per the regulations of the tournament the ICC technical committee would have to give the go-ahead for the inclusion of Ferguson and Krejza after ensuring that the injuries to the duo were genuine and there were solid grounds for the inclusion of the replacement players.
The head of the selection panel Andrew Hilditch told the Australian media about the decision to include Ferguson and Krejza.
"The National Selection Panel has determined that the best strategy to ensure a successful campaign is for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 to enter the tournament with a fully fit squad of fifteen from the first game", the chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch said.
"We've applied to the ICC Technical Committee for Callum Ferguson to replace Mike Hussey in the squad”.
Hilditch also shed light on the choices of the panel. The two replacement players played a limited role in the series against England in the process making a comeback to international cricket after a long lay-off.
"Callum has an excellent record in One Day International cricket and played well in the one-day game against England in Sydney recently. We think he'll play well in Subcontinental conditions. We've also applied to the ICC Technical Committee for Jason Krejza to replace Nathan Hauritz in the squad. Jason toured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 with the Australian Test team in 2008 and understands those conditions. We're certain he'll be a key member of our squad".
Meanwhile, Hussey and Hauritz are not the only two concerns in the Aussie squad, Captain Ricky Ponting, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings, Steve Smith and Brad Haddin have all suffered injuries varying from minor to major in nature, in recent matches.
Brett Lee has just made a comeback after a long lay-off due to injuries hence the triple World Champions would be in for a real tough time as they bid to win back the tournament that they have won for three times on the trot since 1999.
The Aussies are due to leave to take part in the tournament in the next day of two they are bunched in Pool A, along with the likes of co-hosts http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045.
The easy format of the tournament means that their progress through to the quarter-finals is not greatly threatened.
In all probability they would need to beat the minnows in their pool only to secure one of the four quarter-final berths from their group.
Despite the injury concerns, none of the teams in the event can afford to take the four time world champions lightly, as they are likely to hit back like wounded tigers, who can annihilate any opposition when pushed against the wall.
Squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Brad Haddin, Cameron White, Callum Ferguson, David Hussey, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, Shaun Tait.
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