Ponting, Clarke in Aussie World Cup squad

Melbourne:

Beleaguered Test captain Ricky Ponting and his assistant Michael Clarke have been named in Australia's provisional 30-man squad for February's World Cup, where the Australians are three-time defending champions.

Ponting and Clarke have both struggled in the ongoing Ashes Test series against England, with their positions in the team coming under increasing scrutiny.

In the squad announced Friday by Cricket Australia, Twenty20 specialist David Warner was included along with other newcomers Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Stephen O'Keefe.

The squad must be reduced to 15 players by Jan. 19 for the 50-overs tournament which is being hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"We've selected an initial squad for the World Cup with an array of world-class one-day players, some of whom tasted success in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup tournament," said selectors' chairman Andrew Hilditch. "Our form in one-day cricket over the last 15 months has been good."

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.