ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pat Cummins replaces Xavier Doherty as Michael Clarke hints more changes

Hobart: Australia captain Michael Clarke said fast bowler Pat Cummins will replace spinner Xavier Doherty for Saturday’s concluding World Cup pool match against Scotland but warned there could be further changes in the knockout rounds. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

Doherty played in the 64-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday but went wicketless in seven overs, conceding 60 runs on a pitch generally sympathetic to spinners. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

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Now Cummins, who played in the one-wicket defeat to New Zealand in Auckland two weeks ago, gets a second chance to make an impression at the Bellerive Oval ahead of a March 20 quarter-final date against Pakistan or Ireland in Adelaide. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

“I like the fact the selectors are picking players for conditions and opposition. I think we’d be silly to pick our team today for the World Cup quarter-final,” Clarke said on Friday. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

“We don’t know what we’re going to get in Adelaide, we don’t know what the wicket will be like, we still don’t know who we will be playing against. I think we will assess that next week or in a few days.” Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Clarke will play on Saturday despite initial fears over his fitness when he missed net practice on Thursday. But he may opt to juggle the batting order to allow more players time in the middle. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

“I think the order will be a little bit different to try and give guys a hit ahead of our quarter-final,” Clarke said. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings

Along with Shane Watson and James Faulkner, Clarke said he needed to spend some more time at the crease. Scotland go into the game having lost all five matches so far. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage