Australia's selectors have adopted different stances over the years when it comes to choosing cricketers for World Cup tournaments when they have been unavailable for the opening matches.
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World Cup 2011: Michael Hussey
After being named in Australia's original 15-man squad, Michael Hussey was withdrawn before the team left for the World Cup in Bangalore in 2011. The batsman was still recovering from surgery after suffering a major hamstring injury. However, after missing three matches Hussey made his return when fast bowler Doug Bollinger was sent home with an ankle injury. He played in four matches, scoring 69 runs off 74 balls, before Australia was knocked out by India in the quarter-finals.
World Cup 2007: Andrew Symonds
Despite a torn biceps muscle ruling him out of playing in the opening matches, Andrew Symonds was named in Australia's 2007 World Cup squad. He missed two games but was ruled fit to play in the final group match against South Africa. During Australia's winning campaign, he scored 189 runs off 192 balls.
World Cup 2003 - Michael Bevan
The left-handed batsman was taken into Australia's World Cup squad for the trip to South Africa despite a tear in his right groin muscle. He missed the opening match and was not required to bat until the team's fifth group match against Namibia where he scored a weak 17 off 42. Despite a rusty start, he led Australia to victory in their final group game against England, hitting the winning runs with two balls left. Overall during the series, he made 148 runs from 264.
World Cup 2003 - Darren Lehmann
The middle-order batsman was suspended five games prior to the tournament on a racial vilification charge after he was overheard yelling the words "black c..." as he entered the dressing room after being run out in a match against Sri Lanka in Brisbane. The ban extended to Australia's opening World Cup match against Pakistan but he was selected in the squad and played 10 matches, scoring 224 runs at 44.8 as Australia successfully defended the trophy they won in England four years earlier.
