Cruel blow as Jhye Richardson ruled out of World Cup

Richardson had been battling to recover in time after being hurt while fielding in a one-day international against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last month.

It emerged on Tuesday he was in serious doubt to retain his spot in the 15-man squad, and Cricket Australia confirmed on Wednesday he would be replaced by fellow quick Kane Richardson.

Recent scans had shown Jhye Richardson was not going to be fit in time for the World Cup opener, against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1.

Richardson will now hope to be fit for the Australia A tour of England in June, where he can push for selection in the Ashes squad, which is unlikely to be named until late July.

Australia's 15-man World Cup squad will leave for England via a stop in Gallipoli on Friday night.

Australian team physiotherapist David Beakley said Richardson had run out of time.

"This is, obviously, very disappointing news for the team and for Jhye, who has been exceptional throughout his rehabilitation process," he said.

"After his most recent assessment and attempting to bowl in the nets, it was clear that Jhye was not progressing as fast as required and therefore, in consultation with selectors, we made the decision to withdraw him from the squad.

"Jhye will continue with his rehabilitation and we will look to resume bowling in the coming weeks. At this stage we are still hopeful that he could be available for the Australia A tour of England."

Richardson's injury means Australia will be without two of their frontline quicks for the World Cup, for Josh Hazlewood is also on the mend from back issues.

The world champions' fast-bowling attack will comprise Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis added to this.

Australia's World Cup preparations continued on Wednesday at Allan Border Field, with David Warner dismissed for a duck, caught driving at cover off paceman Doug Bracewell after to the top of Australia's batting order in the second practice game against the Black Caps.

Warner, in his return from a year-long suspension, was used at No.3 in Monday's clash when he made 39.

Skipper Finch and and the pugnacious Warner are seen as Australia's best opening combination, and helped lead the nation to World Cup victory in 2015. But there is still support from within team management for a Finch and Usman Khawaja tandem heading into the sport's showpiece event.

Khawaja, who opened on Monday, returned to No.3. There has been considerable debate as to where Khawaja should bat, for he was in superb touch as an opener last month in series against India and Pakistan and is at his best when starting against fast bowling.

Shaun Marsh, in a likely battle with Khawaja for the vacant batting spot, has been listed to come in at No.4, with Steve Smith dropping to No.5.

Marsh failed on Monday and will be keen for a big score this week.

Smith made 22 at No.4 in Monday's clash - also his first international game back since serving a one-year ban for the ball-tampering scandal.

Starc is back after a three-month absence through injury. The left-arm spearhead has not played since tearing his left pectoral muscle in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Canberra.

He has lifted his workrate in Brisbane and came off his full run-up last week, and passed fit to return against the Black Caps.

Starc claimed a 10-wicket haul in Canberra but it was not until the day after the Test had finished that he became aware of an issue.

Glenn Maxwell also returns to the side, having been rested on Monday, along with spinner Nathan Lyon, who replaces leggie Adam Zampa.

Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff - all of whom will head to England for the World Cup - have been rested.

The defending world champions will have two practice matches in England - against the host nation and Sri Lanka - before the tournament opener.

- SMH/The Age