Cricket World Cup 2015: James Faulkner injury may be minor, could still play in tournament

AUSTRALIAN officials are understood to be quietly optimistic that James Faulkner’s World Cup campaign may not be over.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: James Faulkner of Australia is consoled by teamates as he leaves the field injured during the final match of the Carlton Mid One Day International series between Australia and England at WACA on February 1, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIAN officials are understood to be quietly optimistic that James Faulkner’s World Cup campaign may not be over, confirming he won’t be held to Michael Clarke’s strict February 21 deadline for proving his fitness.

The matchwinning all-rounder is set to be given a few days to assess whether he is a chance of getting himself right, even if he can’t get back on the field until midway through the tournament.

Faulkner underwent scans in Melbourne yesterday after breaking down bowling in the one-day tri-series final, and Cricket Australia are expected to report that his injury falls in the minor category — although that could still mean a month out of action.

It’s likely selectors will give their No. 1 closer every opportunity to prove his fitness for the showpiece tournament kicking off on Saturday week, given his calmness under pressure as a closer makes him one of the most irreplaceable players in the squad.

James Faulkner is distraught and has to be consoled by Josh Hazlewood as he walks off the WACA.

However, it opens a potential can of worms over how long an injured player is persisted with before it’s considered to be a distraction to the team.

After all, Clarke is the captain and undoubtedly a key player as well, yet he was given a cut-off for the second game against Bangladesh on February 21.

Champion Mike Hussey was also held to a deadline at the 2011 Cup.

For this edition, selectors originally stated that all 15 players would need to be fit by February 21 to ensure a smooth World Cup campaign with minimal disruption, however that was later clarified to pertain only to injuries classified as “chronic”.

Rightly or wrongly, it’s now clear that the February 21 deadline was a “Michael Clarke rule” marked down by selectors.

CA feels they were justified in taking such a tough stance on Clarke, given his recent history of breaking down in one-day matches.

The powers that be have categorically ruled out Faulkner would be held to the same February 21 deadline, however only time will tell whether a line is drawn in the sand for his recovery as well.

The Tasmanian’s extraordinary ODI record would suggest Faulkner will be given until the eleventh hour even if that means carrying him the squad through the group stages.

Particularly given the squad is already flush with all-rounders, with the likes of Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell capable of holding the fort.

NSW star Moises Henriques would be favoured to come into the World Cup squad if Faulkner was replaced.

Incredibly, Faulkner is ranked the 21st best batsman in the world, a fraction behind South African run-maker Faf du Plessis, and that’s as an all-rounder coming in at No.8.

Glenn Maxwell was the other big mover in the ICC rankings release, up 19 places to No. 17.

While Australia as a team will officially go into the World Cup as the team to beat, with their No. 1 ranking confirmed by the ICC a week and a half out from their opener against England at the MCG.

Ryan Harris will be rested so he is refreshed for the Ashes retention campaign.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia have confirmed fast bowler Ryan Harris has been ruled out for the rest of the Sheffield Shield season as they look to wrap him in cotton wool for the Ashes.

Harris wasn’t considered for the World Cup because he’s their priority bowler for the tour of England, and at 35-years-of-age, they aren’t taking any chances.

The right-armer will undergo a structured plan of “rest and strengthening) and will return to action after Queensland’s Shield season is over to play centre wicket matches with the CA National Performance squad.

Harris won’t play in the IPL and will miss the tour of the West Indies which precedes the Ashes, due to the pending birth of his first child.

“He has had a heavy bowling workload over the past couple of months and actually bowled more balls from November to January this summer than in the corresponding period twelve months ago,” said general manager of team performance, Pat Howard.