Faulkner close to full fitness

Australia allrounder James Faulkner is nearing a return to full fitness and could even play in his side's next match at the World Cup, against Afghanistan in Perth on Wednesday.
The left-arm seam bowler, who has been sidelined since picking up a side strain against England in February, will train with the team on Monday and if he comes through unscathed, he could be available for selection.
Faulkner told a news conference at the WACA: "I'm going to bowl half a dozen overs today and if I get through that, I'll be available for selection and hopefully I'll get picked.
"I've been batting since two or three days after the injury to be brutally honest. Being a right-handed batter and left-handed bowler, it's not the same side."
Australia suffered a defeat to tournament co-hosts New Zealand in their last match, but Faulkner thinks that the loss to their neighbours will not only strengthen the team's resolve to win the trophy.
The 24 year-old Faulkner said: "We all know we didn't perform as well as we could over in New Zealand and that's probably just going to make the team hungrier.
"So far we've been very successful as a team and you're going to come across these little setbacks from time-to-time. Hopefully we can get back on the winning path on Wednesday."
Latest
-
News
Lancashire slip to first defeat of Blast season against Birmingham
The Lightning lost their last seven wickets for 36 runs in 35 balls as they were bowled out for just 98.
-
News
England will not alter aggressive approach during Ashes – Brendon McCullum
England face Ireland before their build-up to the Ashes opener will contain days off, training and ‘quality time’.
-
News
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
News
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson should be fit for Ashes – Brendon McCullum
The England seamers will miss the one-off Test against Ireland, as expected, but should be fit for the Ashes opener.
-
News
ICC chief Wasim Khan accepts Tests and franchise leagues must learn to coexist
Jason Roy last week cancelled his England incremental contract to play in Major League Cricket.
-
T20 Blast
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
County Cricket
Has ‘Bazball’ taken hold in county cricket? What the numbers tell us
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are keen to see their England side’s aggressive approach replicated in the domestic game.
-
England
Opening batter Ben Duckett backed to thrive long-term in second England chance
Since his recall late last year, Duckett has been the model opening batter for the regime under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
-
Women's Cricket
Alex Hartley: Taking indefinite break from cricket was ‘hardest decision’ ever
Hartley announced on her BBC No Balls Podcast on Friday that she had been “struggling mentally” for several months.
-
England
England will keep embracing risks during Ashes despite ‘blip’ – Daryl Mitchell
England have enjoyed some rousing successes since Ben Stokes and Kiwi favourite Brendon McCullum took over the Test team.