Selectors leave door open for Hussey's return

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Cameron White and his Australian colleagues are enjoying some downtime in Colombo © AFP Enlarge

Michael Hussey's hopes of winning a surprise recall to the World Cup squad have been boosted with the news that Australia's selectors have delayed naming a replacement for the injured fast man Doug Bollinger. The selectors had been expected to rush a bowler to Colombo in time for Australia's next match, against Sri Lanka on Saturday, but they have decided not to hurry their decision.

A key factor in their hesitation is likely to have been Hussey's expected return to elite cricket after recovering from a serious hamstring injury. He is set to play for Western Australia against Queensland in a Sheffield Shield match that starts at the WACA on Thursday, and if he gets through the match without any trouble he could be on a plane to the World Cup.

That would leave the squad short of a bowling option, but the allrounder John Hastings is already in reserve and can step in if required. Bollinger did not play after the opening warm-up game and with Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson handling the pace duties, he would have found it difficult forcing his way into the starting XI in any case.

"It is obviously disappointing to lose Doug Bollinger from the World Cup squad through injury, however, we have decided to delay the naming of a replacement for him until later in the tournament," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "Currently all our fast bowlers are fit and we have John Hastings in the squad ready to play if an opportunity presents itself.

"We also have cover in the event of an injury to Brad Haddin [Tim Paine] or any one of the batsmen [Callum Ferguson] so there is seen to be no rush in making the decision. The national selection panel will make a decision as we approach the later stages of the tournament so we can select a replacement player who in our view will give us the best chance of success in the World Cup."

That last line is a strong hint that Hussey, who is the fourth-ranked ODI batsman in the world, will be in the frame. In the meantime, the Australians are relying on Cameron White as the experienced man in the lower middle order, and White knows that he will need to step up against Sri Lanka after beginning the tournament with scores of 22 and 22 not out.

White has not made a half-century in his past 11 ODI innings, and he enjoyed having some time in the middle against New Zealand in Nagpur, where he was under little pressure as the Australians completed a low chase. The big shots for which he is renowned have not been on display so far, and White knows that he needs to lift in the absence of Hussey.

"I felt okay [against New Zealand]," White said in Colombo. "I've been feeling pretty good at the crease for a while, just not converting any starts really. Hopefully I've started something in this tournament. The middle overs are going to be where it's most difficult. Starting is the hard part."

By the time Saturday's game against Sri Lanka arrives, the Australians will have had a seven-day break between matches, but they are enjoying some downtime for the time being. They'll be even happier if they see Hussey make big runs for Western Australia later in the week.