Hussey,Hauritz out of World Cup,replacements cleared

Australia were on Tuesday dealt a severe blow ahead of their World Cup title defence.

Australia were on Tuesday dealt a severe blow ahead of their World Cup title defence after Michael Hussey and spinner Nathan Hauritz were ruled out due to injuries. Both Hussey and Hauritz suffered injuries during the just concluded ODI series against England and had undergone surgeries. Hussey had suffered a hamstring tendon rupture,Hauritz dislocated his right shoulder.

Cricket Australia received ICCs go ahead to replace Hussey with Callum Ferguson and Hauritz with Jason Krejza. Callum has an excellent record in One-day international cricket and played well in the One-day game against England in Sydney recently. Jason toured India with the Australian Test team in 2008 and understands those conditions, Andrew Hilditch,chairman of the National Selection Panel,said.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris gave an update on the injuries of other members of the World Cup-bound squad. Ricky Ponting is going well in his rehabilitation following his finger fracture. He is batting regularly and is expected to make a transition into unrestricted training soon after the team arrives in India.

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Brad Haddin was struck on the knee whilst batting during the seventh ODI against England. During the batting innings the knee became swollen. We expect this to resolve soon after we arrive in India, Kountouris said. Steve Smith is making very good progress from the groin injury he sustained in the sixth ODI against England, he added.

England lose Morgan,Bopara in
Left-handed middle-order batsman Eoin Morgan was ruled out because of a broken finger. Coach Andy Flower blamed a gruelling 3 1/2-month tour to Australia for a series of injuries to key players while announcing that Ravi Bopara will be the replacement in the 15-member squad. Thats a serious loss to us, Flower said. He didnt think it was serious at all and it got worse. The pain grew worse and therefore the medical team got onto it and found it was worse than was previously suggested.

England are still sweating over spinner Graeme Swann and all-rounder Paul Collingwood,who are among those trying to overcome fitness problems. Tim Bresnan,Ajmal Shahzad,Stuart Broad and possible replacement Chris Tremlett are also carrying injuries but Flower said he was happy with their rate of recovery.