Australia include Hussey

Australia have named injured batsman Mike Hussey in their 15-man squad for the World Cup starting next month.

The 35-year-old sustained a 'significant' hamstring injury during the Aussies' victory over England in Melbourne on Sunday, which is likely to rule him out for the remainder of the one-day series.

However, he is included alongside brother David in the party to tour India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for the tournament that gets underway on February 19.

Australia have also named Victorian all-rounder John Hastings despite playing in only two one-day internationals to date.

Veteran batsman Brad Hodge was overlooked while Xavier Doherty also misses out with Nathan Hauritz preferred as the specialist spinner.

"The NSP has selected a squad we believe is capable of winning a fourth successive ICC Cricket World Cup in sub-continental conditions,"said Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the National Selection Panel.

Holders

"As the world's number one ranked one-day team and as the holders of both the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, Australia has been planning for this tournament for some time and we feel this side is well balanced.

"It includes the experience of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, and also some young talent like Steve Smith.

"Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all also part of the victorious 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup squad that went unbeaten in the Caribbean, so there is plenty of character in this group of Australian cricketers.

"One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise."

Squad:Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

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