Decision not to include Hussey wouldn’t hurt Australia: Ponting

SYDNEY - Skipper Ricky Ponting has accepted it was possible the medical-based decision to omit Mike Hussey could ultimately hinder the team’s World Cup campaign, but said he hoped it would not “come back and hurt us”.

The controversy surrounding the decision to not include the veteran in the squad on the eve of his scheduled departure to the subcontinent has been increased by his declaration of fitness for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

“We’ve got what we’ve got now, with the squad,” he said in reference to Callum Ferguson’s inclusion at the expense of Hussey.

“We understand that Mike was disappointed not to be in this squad, and we’re disappointed for him as well, but all we can do now is move forward and move on with the squad of players that we’ve got and do the best that we can,” he said.

“We hope that Mike does make a speedy recovery and he is back playing cricket again soon. The medicos and our selectors felt he wasn’t fit enough to come away on the tour,” The Sydney Morning herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

Under World Cup rules, Hussey cannot be added to the Australian squad in any circumstances, even if another batsman is hurt later in the tournament. (ANI)