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Evergreen paceman Brett Lee and veteran batsman David Hussey are near certainties to cap national team comebacks with World Cup berths.
The experienced duo were on Tuesday recalled to Australia’s one-day squad for the series opener against England at the MCG on Sunday.
Lee, 34, and Hussey, 33, were summoned after more than 15 months’ absence in a pointer to the squad to be named next week for the World Cup starting next month.
Express bowler Shaun Tait and spinners Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty were also included in a 14-man squad for the first of seven one-dayers against England.
Australia’s World Cup squad will feature 15 players, with injured captain Ricky Ponting a certain inclusion.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the World Cup squad “will probably be very much reflected in the team we have just announced”.
“But we are still looking at two or three people ahead of that final 15 selection,” Hilditch told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday.
“I don’t want to be specific, obviously we know the areas we need to be looking at ahead of the final selection.”
Lee has battled ankle, side, elbow and forearm injuries since his last Australian appearance in a one-dayer in October 2009.
Victorian veteran Hussey hasn’t played a one-day match for Australia since August 2009, but was earmarked for the World Cup starting next month in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“We think he’ll be well suited for the subcontinent conditions,” Hilditch said.
South Australian speedster Tait has just returned from a three-month layoff following elbow surgery.
But Hilditch was bouyed by the current fitness of both Tait and Lee.
“Taity has only had limited bowling coming back but it’s all going really well, he’s probably fitter than he has been in his life,” he said.
“But obviously the elbow is an issue … we’re looking at that over the next couple of Twenty20s and the one-day game to make sure he’s at his best, but all the signs are positive.
“Brett has had a longer lead in from injury and obviously we’re looking at him … to make sure that he’s back to his best.”
Australia’s World Cup squad will be announced on January 19, with the 15 players to then play the remainder of the seven match limited overs series against England.
Australian squad for first ODI v England: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White (v-capt), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson.
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