Australia's injury problems appear to be easing with fast bowler Brett Lee
the only player still in serious doubt for the World Cup.
Five of the 15 players in Australia's World Cup squad
are struggling with injuries but only Lee is considered to be in danger of missing
the tournament.
The paceman has admitted he is only a 50-50 proposition after
being sent home from the world champions' short tour of New Zealand when
he damaged ankle ligaments during training.
Lee will visit a specialist in Sydney on Friday so a decision
on his availability can be made early next week. Stuart Clark looms as
the most likely replacement if Lee if he is ruled out.
Captain Ricky Ponting (back) and Michael Clarke
(hip) also missed the tour of New Zealand but there are no major fears of either
batsman missing the World Cup with the team due to fly out on Wednesday.
All-rounder Andrew Symonds and opening batsman Matthew Hayden
will miss Australia's two warm-up matches in the Caribbean, against Zimbabwe
and England, and possibly the early pool games, but are expected to be
ready for the latter stages.
Symonds underwent surgery on his right shoulder but has told
his team mates he was "feeling great", and Hayden declared
himself ready despite breaking his toe during his record-breaking 181 not out
against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Hayden visited a specialist on Wednesday and told reporters
the injury had stabilised, adding that he was confident of being ready for Australia's
first pool game against Scotland on March 14.
"There is nothing structurally wrong except for the fracture.
We will review things on Monday but in terms of a break, it's as good as it
gets," Hayden told The Australian newspaper.
"We've had a few injury scares but come those big, important games of
the year, we will be right up for them."
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