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Australians include unfit Symonds

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SYDNEY, Australia -- Australia named fast bowler Shaun Tait, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds on Tuesday in a 15-man squad for their World Cup defense.

Symonds is likely to miss the opening matches of the tournament as he continues his recovery from a ruptured bicep tendon, while Tait got the nod over Stuart Clark for the final seamer's berth.

Haddin was included to act as Adam Gilchrist's understudy in the West Indies, meaning Victorian all-rounder Cameron White missed out.

"This squad represents a balance of experience and youth and is capable of winning the World Cup for the third time in a row," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.

"Shaun Tait has been selected and it is fair to say it was a difficult decision to make on Stuart Clark, who has been part of the squad this summer.

"Shaun's pace will give us extra firepower during the power plays and at the end of the innings and adds variation to the pace attack."

Hilditch said Haddin had been chosen for his ability to occupy place in the order and to act as wicketkeeper back-up to Gilchrist, who may miss the start of the West Indies trip to attend the birth of his third child.

He added that Symonds, who can still be replaced if his recovery does not progress satisfactorily before the tournament, was a key ingredient to the balance of the side.

"His recovery from surgery has gone as well as could have been expected and, given his importance to the team, and the balance of the team, it was felt that the risk of picking him so soon after surgery was warranted," Hilditch said.

Australia are in Group A at the March 13-April 28 tournament alongside the Netherlands, Scotland and South Africa. Ricky Ponting's side begin their campaign against the Scots in St Kitts on March 14.

They play warm-up matches in St Vincent against Zimbabwe on March 6 and England on March 9.

Kiwis recall Tuffey

Pace bowler Daryl Tuffey has earned a surprise recall to the New Zealand World Cup squad.

Tuffey was included after paceman Kyle Mills was ruled out of the tournament last week, to undergo knee surgery.

Tuffey, 28, has not played an international match in almost two years after suffering a shoulder injury, but coach John Bracewell said he was an ideal replacement for Mills.

"It has been a long journey back for Daryl from such a serious injury, but the selectors have been impressed by his performances and are satisfied that he is ready to once again play international cricket," Bracewell said.

Bracewell said New Zealand's record of injury problems among their fast bowlers was another factor behind Tuffey's selection.

"Our history of injuries show that we need that cover. Fifteen is a luxury for a world tournament, normally it's 14," he said.

"But with the distance and difficulties of getting to the West Indies we felt we needed that cover at the top of the bowling order rather than an extra batter or wicketkeeper which we can cover through Lou Vincent."

Tuffey was the only member of the squad who did not play in the recent tri-series against Australia and England, but he will be involved in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia starting on Friday.

Pakistan pick injured bowlers

Pakistan have named injured fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif in their party.

"Their injuries will be assessed in due course of time," Salim Altaf, the director of operations of the Pakistan Cricket Board told reporters.

"We have an option of replacing the injured players," Altaf said.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who has played just 16 one-day internationals since making his limited-overs debut against Zimbabwe in 2001 and has taken 12 wickets, was recalled.

Pakistan have chosen four all-rounders -- Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez.

Afridi will not be available for the first two games, against West Indies and Ireland after being given a four-match ban for remonstrating with a spectator, who made comments to him as he walked off after a dismissal.

Bangladesh omit former captain

Former captain Khaled Mashud has been left out of Bangladesh's squad.

Opener Mehrab Hossain jnr, batsman Tushar Imran and pacer Mohammad Sharif were also dropped while Javed Omar, Rajin Saleh and left-arm pacer Syed Rasel have been recalled.

"We have dropped Mashud for poor batting performance, though he is still the best wicket-keeper in the country," said chief selector Faruk Ahmed.

"We think Mushfiqur Rahim is a better batsman than Mashud now."

Mashud, Bangladesh's most capped one-day player with 126 appearances, led the country in the 2003 World Cup.

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