SYDNEY, Jan 27: Australia batsman Michael Bevan has been cleared to play in next month’s World Cup in southern Africa after his injured groin was not as bad as initially feared.

The left-hander may still miss the one, or possibly two matches of the tournament but Australia’s selectors said they were prepared to take a gamble on him.

“Like Michael, we were all relieved to learn that the extent of his injury was not as serious as first thought,” the chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.

“Although he will take a few weeks to regain full fitness, the selection panel along with (Australia captain) Ricky Ponting unanimously agreed that he should retain his spot in the squad.

“It goes without saying that Michael is a key component of our World Cup plans, and with the relevant treatment, we are hoping that he will be back sooner rather than later,” Hohns added.

Bevan, whose one-day average of 54.80 is the highest of any player in history who has played a minimum of 20 matches, was considered a doubt for the World Cup after tearing a groin muscle playing against England last Saturday.

He collapsed in agony and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher but scans later revealed the injury was not as bad as first feared.

“Naturally when I first suffered the injury, I feared the worst and thoughts of missing the World Cup went racing through my head,” Bevan said.

“But the groin felt considerably better by the morning... it is obviously a big relief, and it’s now up to me to do whatever it takes to get the injury right.”

Australia won the last World Cup in 1999 and are among the favourites to win it again this time.

The 15-man squad flies to South Africa on Thursday.—Reuters