Australia to wait on Faulkner injury

Australia have a fresh injury concern less than two weeks out from the ICC Cricket World Cup after James Faulkner left the field with side soreness in the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series final against England in Perth.

The allrounder started stretching his right side during his third over and after a painful 15th delivery of the match, consulted his captain George Bailey and left the field.

Cricket Australia confirmed the star allrounder had suffered a rib issue, with a full outcome expected in the coming days.

The sight of Faulkner leaving the playing arena would be a worry for Australia, with the opening match of the World Cup against England on February 14.

The 24-year-old has been a mainstay of Australia's ODI side in recent years and is expected to be a key player for the Aussies in the tournament.

The gravity of Faulkner's untimely injury hasn't been lost on fellow allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

"He’s pretty down at the moment with such an amazing thing coming up for us - a home World Cup," Maxwell said in Perth.

"The thought of us being ruled out so late with an injury even if it’s nothing just the thought of that would hurt a lot of people. 

"I know a few of us out there were hurting for him when he went off. 

"He’s super cricketer and he’s a vital cog in this Australian outfit. 

"We can hope that is nothing and he’s being soft and he gets back and trains hard with us next week. 

"We’re all feeling for him. We hope he recovers pretty quickly and can get back out there with us. 

"You saw it today how good he is. He’s the best finisher in the game comfortably. 

"The way he assesses a situation, gives himself that little bit of time and dominates bowling at the death. 

"And even with the ball, being that surprise packet, getting that wicket first ball, surprising Joe Root who didn’t really look like making too many mistakes there. 

"He’s a vital part of our one day side and hopefully he’s playing this whole World Cup."

Fortunately, Australia is not in short supply of fast-bowling allrounders. 

Shane Watson is still to return to the starting XI, while Mitchell Marsh showed just how damaging he can be with a 67-ball 60 today entering at 4-60 with Australia in deep trouble.

And NSW Blues allrounder Moises Henriques is also in the selectors' minds having been called into Australia's squad in place of Watson for last week's match against England in Hobart.

Faulkner had earlier starred with the bat, scoring a unbeaten 50 from only 24 balls, hitting a six off the final ball of the innings to bring up his half-century.

The Tasmanian followed his good form with the bat into the field, trapping Joe Root lbw for 25 (37) with his first ball.

Highlights of Faulkner's half-century