SYDNEY, Feb 7: Australia have been given the go-ahead by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pick injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds in their World Cup squad.

Symonds underwent shoulder surgery on Sunday and is very unlikely to be fit for the start of the tournament in the West Indies but he could recover in time to play in the latter stages.

“If at some stage during the World Cup it becomes apparent that Andrew cannot play due to his injuries not getting better, the medical regulations provide that if the WICB Medical Committee agrees that Andrew is unfit to play in any match after that stage, Australia can replace him with another player,” an ICC spokesman said in a statement.

The defending champions must name their 15-man squad by next Tuesday and could now select Symonds safe in the knowledge that they can replace him if he fails to recover from his injury.

Australia's first World Cup match is on March 14 but the tournament goes on until late April.—Reuters