Cricket World Cup 2015: James Faulkner will only be fully assessed once tournament is underway

CRICKET Australia won’t put a fitness deadline on James Faulkner, even though the World Cup will be underway before his side strain can be fully assessed.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: James Faulkner of Australia shows discomfort before leaving 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)

CRICKET Australia has refused to put a fitness deadline on James Faulkner, even though the World Cup will be underway before medical staff can even fully assess the extent of his right side strain.

Although CA clarified that Michael Clarke’s infamous February 21 deadline applied to “chronic injuries” only, that doesn’t change the fact National Selector Rod Marsh made it clear when he announced the 15-man squad that he wanted a settled line-up through the tournament.

“What we don’t want is talk about people’s fitness,” said Marsh back on January 11.

“We want to be settled.”

However, rules are made to be broken, and it appears all-rounder Faulkner’s rare finishing ability with the bat means selectors are willing to perform a backflip of sorts and give him as much time as possible.

Star NSW all-rounder Moises Henriques and Victorian big-hitter Cameron White have been pencilled in as possible replacements, but there’s a general feeling that there should be no hurry to cut Faulkner.

Henriques or White may struggle to make Australia’s first-choice XI anyway, so there’s a hesitance to call them in if they’re unlikely to play and Faulkner is a chance of recovering.

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Faulkner was forced off the WACA Ground with a side strain on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Wilkins.

Besides, Faulkner is ranked the No. 21 batsman in the world in ODIs — above David Warner and Steve Smith — so it’s not inconceivable that he could ease his way back as a batter who doesn’t bowl.

Side strain injuries invariably carry a four-to-six week lay-off period, so the earliest Faulkner may return could be Australia’s third group game against New Zealand in Auckland.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris says he won’t even know when Faulkner might be able to return to batting and bowling until after two weeks of intense treatment.

That will come after Australia’s World Cup campaign has kicked off on February 14.

“Scans on James Faulkner’s injured side have confirmed a moderate grade abdominal muscle strain which is consistent with a ‘typical’ fast-bowling side strain injury,” said Kountouris.

In positive news, fellow all-rounder Shane Watson is set to return from right hamstring tightness in Australia’s warm-up match against India next week.

Australia can play as many squad members as they want in the unofficial fixture at Adelaide Oval.

If Faulkner, Clarke or anyone else is to be ruled out of Australia’s World Cup squad at any point, ICC officials will have to authorise the decision — and the replacement.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Ashes prospects have received a boost with confirmation Victorian tearaway James Pattinson has been cleared to return for the Bushrangers in three of the four Sheffield Shield matches to end the season.

James Pattinson returned successfully from injury in the BBL and will now play Sheffield Shield cricket.

Pattinson has been plagued by back injuries since he was ruled out of the last tour of England, but after working on his action, there’s optimism the 24-year-old can now overcome his problems.

It’s clear CA want Pattinson in their West Indies and Ashes squads, and the young right-armer is desperate to be there.

In other injury news, Domestic Cricketer of the Year Jason Behrendorff has become the latest promising fast bowler to be struck down by stress fractures, ruled out of the rest of Western Australia’s Shield season.