Australia's James Faulkner likely to return against Afghanistan

Perth, March 2 (IANS) Australian all-rounder James Faulkner is likely to make a return to cricket in their World Cup game against Afghanistan on Wednesday at the WACA after recovering from a side strain injury. The 24-year-old sustained his injury at the same venue a month ago in the final of the One-Day International (ODI) tri-Series against England.

"I bowled a couple of overs (last week and was) pretty close, the difference is the intensity of an ODI. I will have a solid hit out today and hopefully I recover well and be out here (at the WACA) on Wednesday afternoon," Faulkner was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au before Monday's practice session.

With Faulkner pushing for inclusion, there is a potential that he could come in as a replacement for pacer Pat Cummins and that Australia might opt for two specialist pacers as well as seam-bowling all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Shane Watson and Faulkner against the Afghans.

"I'm not too sure what they want to go in with, that's purely up to the selectors," Faulkner said.

"All I can control is about getting back out on the park and giving myself a chance of playing again. The rest isn't my job and it's not for me to worry about. That's their decision at the end of the day," he added.