ST JOHN'S, April 5: Queensland all-rounder James Hopes has been put on standby for the Australia World Cup squad following another injury to the unfortunate Shane Watson.

Watson left the field in the second stage Super Eights match against Bangladesh last Saturday with a calf strain and may not be fit before the semi-finals on April 24 and 25 should holders Australia reach them as expected.

He missed the last World Cup with a back injury and the entire 2006-07 Ashes series with a hamstring complaint.“We should let you know that we have put James Hopes on standby as a shadow player for Shane Watson,” Australia chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch told reporters on Wednesday.—Reuters