(REUTERS)-Australian batsman Mike Hussey’s World Cup dream was restored once again after he was named as a replacement for injured fast bowler Doug Bollinger yetserday.   
Hussey had been named in the original 15-man squad for the Feb. 19-April 2 tournament before being controversially removed as selectors feared he would not recover in time from a hamstring injury.
The in-form 35-year-old’s omission not only angered the batsman but also caused a furore in Australia.
Hussey had always believed he would be fit to play most of the event despite rupturing a hamstring during the ODI series against England in January.
“I’m really disappointed and a bit shocked by the news,” the 35-year-old had told Fox Sports after his initial exclusion.
“I tried to push my case forward. I said I would really push (to be fit) by the second game and definitely right by the third game but it’s not a risk the selectors wanted to take.
“It’s a pretty hard pill to swallow, that’s for sure.”
Hussey, the older brother of David who is also part of Australia’s World Cup squad, stood vindicated yesterday.
“Michael has successfully recovered from major hamstring surgery and is seen as someone who is capable of assisting Australia as we strive to win this tournament,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“His skill, experience, ability against spin and the fact that he provides a left-hand option in the middle order is seen as critical in our World Cup defence now that he has successfully recovered from injury.”
Bollinger was ruled out of the World Cup with a left ankle injury and subsequently returned home.
Fast bowler Dirk Nannes will also travel to India as a standby player to train with the Australian squad and be available in case another fast bowler gets injured.
“Dirk will train with the Australian World Cup squad and be fit, available and acclimatised in the event of an injury to a fast bowler, in particular a new-ball fast bowler, in the final stages of this tournament,” the statement added.
Hussey was a member of Ricky Ponting’s victorious World Cup team of 2007 in the Caribbean.