Will David Hussey and Xavier Doherty make the 15-man 2011 World Cup squad?
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s middle order batsman David Hussey faced a crucial test of wits on Sunday when he took on England in the first ODI of a seven-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Hussey, who hasn’t played an ODI game since 2009, was under pressure to perform good enough to convince the selectors to give him a shot at the next month’s World Cup in the subcontinent.
The Australian scored just 28 runs in the first T20 match against England at Adelaide, while he chipped in only 8 runs in the second 20 overs match played at the MCG, which the hosts eventually won. Hussey was unimpressive in the
two-match T20 series and thus he needed to give a commendable performance in Sunday’s ODI, if he wanted to have any chance of being a part of the 15-member squad of Australia for the World Cup.
The slow left-arm orthodox bowler Xavier Doherty was also under the scrutinizing eyes of the selectors on Sunday, because he needs to cement his place in the 15-member squad as well. So far Hussey and Xavier have not been able
to convince Australian selectors - led by Greg Chappell - to be in the final squad for next month’s cricket extravaganza.
Prior to the match, Chappell, speaking on the matter said, “The (selection panel) continues to look closely at certain players as the deadline for ICC Cricket World Cup selection approaches." On Nathan Hauritz’s selection, he said,
“We spoke to Nathan Hauritz in the week and advised him that if selected, the first game he plays in this series would be ... at Bellerive, Hobart (game two on January 21)."
Although there may be room for both spinners Doherty and Hauritz in the 15-member outfit because of the spinner-friendly pitches in the subcontinent, an impressive performance on Sunday would have nevertheless increased Doherty’s
chances for the World Cup.
Australia are set to announce their squad for the World Cup by Wednesday and the second ODI won’t be played before Friday which means that Sunday’s game was Hussey’s and Doherty’s final chance to show their form in a competitive
ODI against the visiting English side.
However, in the 1st ODI, Hussey’s performance (2 wickets, that of Steve Davies and Jonathan Trott) was overshadowed by the brilliant unbeaten 161-run knock by opener (and man-of-the-match) Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326. He did not get
a chance to showcase his skill with the bat as Australia won the match without his assistance – saving crucial wickets.
In other news, brother Mike Hussey (21 off 15 balls) suffered a hamstring tear while batting during Australia’s 6-wicket (with 5 balls remaining) win over England. Therefore, his inclusion in the 15-man squad remains doubtful.
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