… Shaun Marsh joins ODI squad for next three matches
MICHAEL Hussey is in major doubt for the World Cup after undergoing surgery on his hamstring injury yesterday, with in-form West Australian Shaun Marsh set to take his place in the one-day squad.
Hussey partially tore the left tendon in the first ODI against England in Melbourne on Sunday, with scans revealing the injury was worse than initially feared.
Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Hussey would undergo a comprehensive programme of rehabilitation in an effort to be fit for the World Cup, but the 35-year-old faces a race against time with the tournament just one month away.
“Whilst the injury appeared to be minor at the time and soon after the game, scans have since revealed that he has avulsed one of the hamstring tendons from the attachment point at inner side of his knee,” Kountaris said.
“As such, Michael had corrective surgery today. The recovery time and availability for the World Cup will be dependent on his progress with the rehabilitation programme in the coming weeks.”
Marsh, who has averaged 37.10 with the bat in 29 ODIs since debuting against the West Indies in 2008, has been given the chance to stake his claim for Hussey’s possibly-vacant World Cup spot in the next three ODIs.
The 27-year-old has been in good nick for the Western Warriors this summer, and caught the selectors’ attention with a cracking 85 from 45 balls in the Warriors’ Big Bash win over New South Wales earlier this month.
Marsh combined with Hussey for match-winning 107-run partnership in Australia’s win over England in the fifth ODI at Lord’s last July, and he was one of several notable omission from Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad, announced yesterday.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch expects the big-hitting left-hander to make the most of his opportunities at international level in the coming days.
“Shaun Marsh will come into the squad for Mike Hussey for the next three games,” Hilditch said.
“Shaun can bat at the top of the order and also in the middle order if required.”
“Shaun showed against England at Lord’ earlier this year that he has the ability to win an ODI game with the bat and this gives him another opportunity for Australia.”
Australia and England square off at Bellerive Oval in Hobart for the second ODI on Friday. (Cricket Australia)