As David Warner and Mitchell Marsh battle fresh injury concerns, Michael Clarke has pleaded with the selectors to take a risk by including him in Australia's World Cup squad.
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Warner's ability to wield a bat with his usual power is again in doubt after he was struck on the right forearm by reserve paceman Peter Siddle in the MCG nets on Saturday morning.
Warner, who was already nursing an injured left thumb, could not take the field on Saturday afternoon because of severe bruising.
Cricket Australia said the plan was for Warner to field on Sunday but he is likely to be in pain. "Hopefully Davey is alright in the morning. He copped a hit in the nets today and he's got a bit of a bruised arm. He was struggling to clench his fist so hopefully he has a good sleep and can come out in the morning and field," captain Steve Smith said.
Clarke is making a good recovery from hamstring surgery and believes he will be able to play a significant part in the World Cup but admitted Australia's first game against England on February 14 may be too soon.
"I don't think it's probably realistic for me to be 100 per cent fit for the first game, but I think I will certainly be fit and available for the majority of the World Cup," he said on Channel Nine. Obviously it comes down to the selectors taking that risk.
"I think the advantage with the World Cup selection of 15 is you can take a player, if he's not fit you can rule him out of the tournament and bring someone else in. I'm hoping the selectors will give me that opportunity."
The World Cup squad is expected to be announced during the Sydney Test.
Marsh has been ruled out of the series finale against India after aggravating his hamstring injury and David Warner's ability to wield a bat with his usual power is again in doubt after a bruising blow to the arm in the MCG nets on Saturday.
Marsh suffered a setback in training on Boxing Day, guaranteeing Joe Burns another Test at the SCG.
Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Marsh would aim to be fit for the triangular one-day series against India and England, which precedes the World Cup.
The young all-rounder has a history of hamstring trouble, and broke down while bowling on the first day of the Brisbane Test.
"Mitchell Marsh had scans on his injured hamstring this morning after reporting some soreness yesterday. The scans confirm that he has suffered a setback in his rehab and will not be available for the Sydney Test match," Kountouris said.
"Our focus for Mitchell will now be on his return to one-day cricket as we lead into the tri-series."
