Defending champions
Australia revealed their squad for next month's
World Cup, banking on the fitness of a pair of injury-prone pacemen and elder statesmen
Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.
Veteran fast bowler
Brett Lee and short-form specialist Shaun Tait were both included in the 15-man squad, which they are trying to win for the fourth successive time.
Ricky Ponting was named as Captain, but is still recovering from a broken finger, while Hussey made the squad but is a major doubt after a severe hamstring tears in the six-wicket win over England at the MCG on Sunday.
Hussey is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, with Australia's first game on February 21, and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch conceded he was a doubt for the showpiece event.
"It is a severe injury and we will make a decision closer to departure date," Hilditch said on Tuesday. Players can be replaced before the tournament.
The shocking selection was Victorian all-rounder John Hastings, who has played just two
one-day internationals, while David Hussey, Mike's younger brother, also made the squad.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, hyped by many as a future Australian skipper, is part of the 15.
Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who played on Sunday, was overlooked in favour of the returning Nathan Hauritz, who was ignored for the entire
Ashes series but has been in top form in domestic first-class cricket this season.
Victorian paceman Peter Siddle was not included, despite being one of the better Ashes performers for Australia with ball and bat.
Australia Squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Brad Haddin, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Tim Paine, John Hastings, Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Steven Smith, Nathan Hauritz.
Sanath Jayasuriya and Vaas had been named in the provisional squad of 30 players, but their declining international powers meant that they couldn't find a place for themselves in the final squad, even though they had expressed their wish of playing a final World Cup before retiring. However, neither of them has featured in an ODI for Sri Lanka for over a year, and the chances of their both making the final squad were always slim.
