Ponting expects bowler to replace Bollinger

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Doug Bollinger's injury has created a vacancy in the team, though it seems unlikely Michael Hussey will fill it © AFP Enlarge

Michael Hussey has not given up hope of making it to the World Cup after recovering from his hamstring injury, although he's unlikely to be named as a shock replacement for the injured Doug Bollinger. Australia's captain Ricky Ponting said he was expecting a bowler to take the place of Bollinger, who is heading home due to an ankle problem, although "not necessarily" a fast man.

The Victoria seamers, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, are possible candidates, although the Australians could look to James Hopes as an all-round option, or the spinner Xavier Doherty, who has now recovered from a minor back injury. Whatever the selectors decide, the allrounder John Hastings looms as the likely man to come in for Australia's next match, against Sri Lanka on March 5.

"Doug's a big loss for us," Ponting said. "At his best he's as good a bowler as probably anyone taking part in this tournament, which is backed up by the fact he was in the one-day and Test teams of the year last year. He's a big loss for us but I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job if required.

"[Hastings] has been particularly good in every training session and a couple of practice games that he played at the start of the tournament. I thought even in Australia the games he played there were particularly good. He'll be well suited to these conditions.

"We had a bit of a chat last night and I'll have a chat with the selectors and coach and see who the most adequate replacement is. We have a lot of fast bowlers around the country who are on the sidelines so we'll have a good chat, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't a bowler."

That means Hussey will only get a chance to join the squad if another batsman is injured during the tournament, but at least he is pleased to have been told he is not out of the mix. There had been some confusion about whether an injured player, once withdrawn, could later return to the squad to replace another injured man, and after initially suggesting it was out of the question the ICC has said such a move would be allowed.

"Initially I thought that you were in the initial 15 and if you were injured then you were pretty much out for the tournament and you can't be replaced," Hussey said on Fox Sports on Friday. "But I had a call from Cricket Australia saying that's not actually the case. If there was another injury, then, because I'm now fit again, I could be considered as the replacement player. You don't wish an injury upon anyone, but I guess there is a glimmer of hope now."

Hussey and Shaun Marsh, who has also recovered from a hamstring injury, are likely to play club cricket in Perth this weekend. Both men should return for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland starting at the WACA on Thursday.

recovered from a hamstring injury, are likely to play club cricket in Perth this weekend. Both men should return for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland starting at the WACA on Thursday.