Cricket - Gilchrist To Miss Start Of Cup

Cricket - Gilchrist To Miss Start Of Cup

Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist is to miss the start of the World Cup to attend the birth of his third child, reports down under say.

Gilchrist is set to be absent for at least the two warm-up matches and the first group game against Scotland after being granted compassionate leave.

Brad Haddin is set to be the named as the wicket-keeper for the early part of Australia's defence of the World Cup.

Andrew Symonds is also set to be included in the hope he recovers from arm surgery but he can be replaced if he is not able to play.

The absence of Gilchrist, who opens the batting in one-day internationals and has scored 8,585 runs and 14 centuries, will no doubt hamper Australia's preparations as they aim to bounce back from losing the Commonwealth Bank Series finals to England.

Australia play three one-day internationals in New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Series, starting on Friday, ahead of flying to the Caribbean on 28 February.

Gilchrist, and captain Ricky Ponting, were being rested for these matches.

Haddin's inclusion could mean all-rounder Cameron White being the man to make way in the World Cup squad.

Haddin, 29, has played in 18 one-day internationals but has been in prolific form with the bat in domestic cricket.

He is the leading run-scorer in the domestic one-day Pura Cup competition with 406 runs at 67 and has batted in all positions in the top seven during his career.

Coach John Buchanan, who is not a selector, dropped a hint on Monday saying he was hoping to have Haddin at his disposal rather than relying on key batsman Mike Hussey, who has done the job on a part-time basis.

"My leaning is to take a specialist second keeper, but he has to be a player who offers us more than just wicket-keeping," he said. "He has to be able to offer us batting potential as well as a top seven-type technique."

Latest Betting Odds (will open in new window)

£500 FREE. For YOU to play with. NO deposit required. WON'T cost you a thing. Sounds TOO good to be true? Decide For Yourself