Australia's captain Ricky Ponting. - file

SYDNEY (Reuters):

AUSTRALIA NAMED fast bowler Shaun Tait, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds yesterday in a 15-man squad for their World Cup defence.

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.

Difficult decision

"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 backup 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 is warranted," Hilditch said.

Skipper Ricky Ponting agreed it was worth taking a risk with Symonds, who was likely to be ready for the latter stages in the Caribbean.

"We have set our sights on him being ready about a month into the tournament," Ponting said.

"He has been sticking to his fitness regime really well already, and if you asked him he'd be ready to go out there and play tomorrow.

"He's a fair way off the mark yet, obviously, but we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope he goes along with his recovery as smoothly as possible."

Campaign against the Scots

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

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

Australia World Cup squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Brad Hodge, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath.