Spinners Hauritz, Doherty to face off for World Cup spot

MELBOURNE - Test discards Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty are set to duel for the role of Australia’s No.1 spinner at the World Cup after both were included in a 14-man squad for the first of seven one-day internationals against England.

Michael Clarke will captain the side against the old enemy at the MCG on Sunday as Ricky Ponting recovers from surgery on his broken finger suffered during the third Ashes Test, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Victorian batsman David Hussey has been offered a chance to impress in place of Ponting, while selectors also included injury-prone tearaway fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Brett Lee.

“We’ve given David Hussey the opportunity to push for inclusion in the World Cup squad as we think he will be well suited for the sub-continent conditions which will be faced in the World Cup,” said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

Hilditch said the squad was selected for one game only in order to look at certain players before the a 15-man squad for the remaining six matches and the World Cup is announced on January 19.
Australian squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White (v-capt), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson. (ANI)