Sydney: Australian batsman Michael Bevan's absence from the World Cup might be restricted to just the first two matches against Pakistan and India after his injury was diagnosed to be not of a serious nature. Bevan, who had to be carried out of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a stretcher during the second tri-nations final between Australia and England on Saturday, has a low-grade tear of his right groin muscle, the recovery period for which is two to three weeks. "The MRI scans show Bevan has a grade-one tear of his right adductor (groin) muscle. The anticipated recovery time for such an injury is anywhere between 14 and 21 days," ACB Medical Officer Dr Trefor James said. Australia plays its first World Cup game against Pakistan at Johannesburg on February 11 before taking on India at Centurion on February 15. "I am feeling a lot more comfortable today than I was last night. It is pleasing to know that I am not looking at a really long-term injury, when perhaps my initial thoughts were that it was a lot worse," Bevan said. "It is now up to the selectors to make a decision about the World Cup, so from my perspective, I just have to wait and see," he said. Initial reports had suggested on Saturday that Bevan might have to be ruled out of the entire World Cup. A decision on whether to keep Bevan in the squad or replace him with a fitter player would be taken in the next few days. Extras:
Aussie World Cup hopes hit by two big injury blows

Tags: cricket, sydney, australia, michael bevan, world cup, pakistan, india, melbourne cricket ground, australia, england, acb medical officer dr trefor james, johannesburg.