Australia squad profiles

RICKY PONTING (captain)

Age: 36.
Role: Right-hand batsman
Stats: ODIs 352, Runs 13,082, Highest 164, Average 42.75, Strike-Rate 80.59, Centuries 29, Fifties 79, Catches 152.

One of the game's greatest batsmen and bidding to skipper Australia to his third World Cup as skipper and is unbeaten in 22 WC matches. Recovering from a broken little finger which sidelined him from recent seven-match ODI home series against England. Much depends on his ability to rediscover form missing in the recent Ashes Test series.(Photo: Getty Images)

MICHAEL CLARKE

Age: 29.
Role: Right-hand batsman, left-arm orthodox spin
Stats: ODIs 188. Runs 5,928, Highest 130, Average 43.59, Strike-Rate 77.96, Centuries 5, Fifties 45, Catches 73. Wickets 52, Best Bowling 5-35, Average 36.46, Economy-Rate 84.38.

Skippered Australia to a ODI series win over England earlier this month in Ponting's injury absence. Elegant batsman with great footwork to spin and appears to be emerging from form slump lingering over from the Ashes Test series. Sharp outfielder.(Photo: Getty Images)

BRAD HADDIN

Age: 33
Role: Right-hand batsman, wicketkeeper.
Stats: ODIs 76, Runs 2,079, Highest 110, Average 31.98, Strike-Rate 83.23, Centuries 2, Fifties 11, Catches 103, Stumpings 7.

Clean-hitting batsman who opens the innings with Shane Watson and has scored 2 ODI 100s with his lofted straight drive being one of his favoured shots. Usually tidy behind the stumps. Aggressive type who has led the team in a couple of T20 matches.(Photo: Getty Images)

BRETT LEE

Age: 34.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Right-arm fast medium.
Stats: ODIs 192, Runs 938, Highest 57, Average 16.46, Strike-Rate 81.21, Centuries 0. Fifties 2, Catches 46. Wickets 335, Best Bowling 5-22, Average 23.04, Economy-Rate 78.95.

Veteran paceman recalled to squad after returning from a long-term elbow injury and played his first ODI against England since October 2009. Provides great energy to the attack and experience will be vital although durability remains a concern.(Photo: Getty Images)

CALLUM FERGUSON

Age: 26.
Role: Right-hand batsman. Right-arm medium.
Stats: ODIs 28, Runs 660, Highest 71no, Average 44.00, Strike-Rate 86.23, Centuries 0, Fifties 5, Catches 7. No bowling.

Lightly-built batsman who missed the 2009-10 season with a serious knee injury that required reconstructive surgery. Lively, busy batsman who gets his chance as an injury replacement having missed initial selection.(Photo: Getty Images)

CAMERON WHITE

Age: 27.
Role: Right-hand batsman. Right-arm leg-spin.
Stats: ODIs 79, Runs 1,947, Highest 105, Average 36.74, Strike-Rate 82.22, Centuries 2, Fifties 11, Catches 36. Wickets 12, Best Bowling 3-5, Average 28.83, Economy-Rate 106.46.

Australia's T20 captain after the retirement of Michael Clarke from that form of the game. Key player with his aggressive middle-order batting, leg-spin and leadership qualities.(Photo: Getty Images)

DAVID HUSSEY

Age: 33.
Role: Right-hand batsman. Right-hand off-spin.
Stats: ODIs 30, Runs 834, Highest 111, Average 32.08, Strike-Rate 87.70, Centuries 1, Fifties 6, Catches 16. Wickets 10, Best Bowling 4-21, Average 36.60, Economy-Rate 92.66.

Younger brother of Mike Hussey. An aggressive batsman and has been a regular in Australia's Twenty20 team and a fringe ODI player. His mix of hard-hitting batting and part-time off-spin have earned him the trip.(Photo: Getty Images)

DOUG BOLLINGER

Age: 29.
Role: Left-hand batsman, left-arm medium.
Stats: ODIs 32, Runs 40, Highest 30, Average 10.00, Strike-Rate 100.00, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 7. Wickets 50, Best Bowling 5-35, Average 24.16, Economy-Rate 75.78.

Full of character fast bowler who struggled for form and fitness in the Ashes and can trouble batsmen with his angled deliveries and swing. Starred with bat and ball in 2nd ODI win over England in Hobart scoring 30 and taking 4-28.(Photo: Getty Images)

JASON KREJZA

Age: 28.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Right-hand off spin.
Stats: ODIs 1, Runs 6, Highest 6no, Average - , Strike-Rate 150.00, Centuries 0, Fifties 0. Catches 1. Wickets 2, Best Bowling 2-53. Average 26.50. Economy-Rate 98.15.

Resurrected for his ODI debut in the final match of the ODI series against England in February. Took 8-215 (match figures 12-358) in Test debut against India in Nagpur 2008 and then 1-204 in 1st Test against South Africa, Perth, later that year before being discarded. Off spinner who is willing to flight the ball and can extract decent turn.(Photo:Getty Images)

JOHN HASTINGS

Age: 25.Role: Right-hand batsman, right-arm medium.
Stats: ODIs 7, Runs 61, Highest 18no, Average 15.25, Strike-Rate 89.71, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 1. Wickets 6, Best Bowling 2-35, Average 48.17, Economy-Rate 83.05.

All-rounder who was a surprise selection after strong bowling and lower-order batting form. Named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year after his breakthrough season with Victoria in 2009-10. Tall bowler who makes up for his lack of pace off the wicket with swing and subtle movement.(Photo: Getty Images)

MITCHELL JOHNSON

Age: 29.
Role: Left-hand batsman, Left-arm fast medium.
Stats: ODIs 89, Runs 599, Highest 73no, Average 17.62, Strike-Rate 93.89, Centuries 0, Fifties 2, Catches 22. Wickets 135, Best Bowling 5-26, Average 26.39, Economy-Rate 82.84.

Enigmatic pace spearhead who had mixed results in the Ashes series and can be a match-winner with bat and ball. Can be wayward or deadly accurate with his complicated bowling action and a free-swinging hitter lower down the order.(Photo: Getty Images)

SHANE WATSON

Age: 29.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Right-arm medium.
Stats: ODIs 123, Runs 3,353, Highest 161no, Average 40.89, Strike-Rate 85.71, Centuries 5, Fifties 19, Catches 38. Wickets 127, Best Bowling 4-36, Average 28.09, Economy-Rate 81.11.

Australia's most valuable ODI player opening the innings and useful swing bowler. Produced one of Australia's finest one-day hundreds in their win over England in Melbourne last month with his unbeaten, career-best 161.(Photo: Getty Images)

SHAUN TAIT

Age: 27.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Right-arm fast medium.
Stats: ODIs 28, Runs 25, Highest 11, Average 12.50, Strike-Rate 89.29, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 7. Wickets 51, Best Bowling 4-39, Average 23.47, Economy-Rate 86.93.

Explosive fast bowler who is concentrating on the shorter forms of the games and is an injury risk. Capable of delivering short, blistering spells and seen as a shock weapon at the World Cup.(Photo: Getty Images)

STEVE SMITH

Age: 21.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Right-arm leg-spin.
Stats: ODIs 15, Runs 240, Highest 46no, Average 26.67, Strike-Rate 90.91, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Catches 6. Wickets 17, Best Bowling 3-33, Average 26.67, Economy-Rate 87.28.

Promising young spinner who is also an outstanding batsman and fielder and the youngest player in the squad. His impetuosity can be his undoing at times.(Photo: Getty Images)

TIM PAINE

Age: 26.
Role: Right-hand batsman, Wicketkeeper.
Stats: ODIs 25, Runs 730, Highest 111, Average 30.42, Strike-Rate 68.74, Centuries 1, Fifties 5, Catches 34, Stumpings 4.

A solid top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, Paine was earmarked as next in line behind Brad Haddin when he was picked in Australia's one-day squad to tour England in 2009. Seen as a potential captain.(Photo: Getty Images)