Lee must for Australia’s attempt to defend World Cup in sub continent: Clark
February 11th, 2010 - 2:55 pm ICT by ANISydney, Feb 11 (ANI): Injured and facing an uncertain future in international cricket, Brett Lee has been backed to succeed at the 2011 World Cup by long-time bowling rival Stuart Clark.
Lee is not on the list for selection for the World Cup in the subcontinent. He has not featured in any of the four Herald experts’ World Cup XIs and has several bowlers ahead of him should he attempt a return.
With Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson near-certainties, latest find Ryan Harris is the frontrunner for a berth in the starting side for Australia’s World Cup opener against Zimbabwe on February 21 in Ahmedabad, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Others in the race are Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait, but Clark said Lee was a must for Australia’s attempt at a fourth consecutive cup win.
“If fully fit, Lee in India with his reverse swing is going to be a major weapon. I also think he can hit the ball at the end of the innings, which is very important,” Clark said.
With Australia in the midst of one of the great ODI form runs, having won 26 of their past 31 games, the make-up of their best XI is becoming difficult to name.
Selectors will probably name a 15-man squad for the tournament.
New additions to the side for the series against the West Indies, Tim Paine and Adam Voges, will get an opportunity to press their claims at the SCG on Friday, while Callum Ferguson recovers from injury. (ANI)
- CA drops David Hussey, Bracken and Clark from contracted players list - Apr 07, 2010
- Lee, Hodge named in Oz 30-man 2011 World Cup squad - Dec 17, 2010
- Johnson rested from first two ODIs against Pakistan - Jan 14, 2010
- No room for both Tait and Lee in Oz WC squad - Jan 14, 2011
- Australian bowling stocks receive lukewarm praise before first ODI against England - Jun 21, 2010
- Lee in Australia's preliminary squad for World Twenty20 - Feb 26, 2010
- Oz all-rounder Henriques also ruled out of fifth ODI - Nov 04, 2009
- Warne to lead All Stars in T20 clash - Nov 20, 2009
- 72 Australian players on list for Indian Premier League auction - Jan 02, 2011
- WC 2011: Siddle the ideal choice to replace injured Bollinger, says Clark - Mar 05, 2011
- Ponting axed from Australia's ODI squad, Watson returns - Feb 20, 2012
- Aussies name unchanged squad for Sydney Test - Dec 30, 2009
- IPL riches may provide some solace for Oz Ashes series failures - Jan 07, 2011
- Australia calls McKay as cover up for injured Hilfenhaus - Jul 19, 2010
- Haddin, Siddle recalled for Oz T20 match against Sri Lanka - Oct 25, 2010
Tags: adam voges, bollinger, brett lee, callum, consecutive cup, frontrunner, international cricket, man squad, mitchell johnson, nathan bracken, new additions, ryan harris, scg, selectors, shaun tait, siddle, sydney morning herald, tim paine, uncertain future, xis