Faulkner keen for home-town heroics

As the latest left-armer to announce his presence at the ICC World Cup, James Faulkner could be excused for thinking that richer pickings await.

But Faulkner, whose entry into the tournament was delayed for more than a fortnight because of a side injury he sustained shortly before it began, is simply happy to be back and playing and is putting no pressure on himself to repeat those match-winning heroics for which he's become renowned.

At least until the knockout phase of the event begins in just over a week.

Faulkner was one of a handful of members of Australia's 15-man World Cup squad who arrived in Hobart today ahead of the team's final group match against winless-to-date Scotland at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.

Not that he and fellow Tasmanians George Bailey and Xavier Doherty were making for the practice nets on their return to their home town.

With the Australian players granted two days shore leave in the wake of their emphatic 44-run win over Sri Lanka at the SCG last night, Faulkner was eyeing a couple of relaxing days with family on Tasmania's pristine east coast.

His peace of mind enhanced by the knowledge he not only got through his most searching fitness test since suffering the troublesome injury – bowling nine overs in the heat of a hectic Sri Lanka run chase – but picked up a clutch of vital wickets in the process.

Among them were Sri Lanka's top scorers Kumar Sangakkara (104) and Tillekeratne Dilshan (62) who, with the rest of their squad, were aboard Faulkner's flight to Hobart yesterday as they prepare for their showdown with Scotland which will take place at Blundstone on Wednesday.

Faulkner paid tribute to the Australia selectors who, rather than make an early call on their star late-order batting 'finisher' when he suffered the injury and replace him in the World Cup squad, carried him for the first three matches to ensure he was fully recovered.

"I've been fortunate the way they (the selectors) have looked after me, they've given me every chance to get back," Faulkner said today.

"Last night I'd be lying to say it wasn't a relief to get through nine overs.

"I was confident I was going to get through my 10 overs but it was nice to ease back in with four overs against Afghanistan (in Perth last Wednesday) and then get a solid performance in yesterday.

"I'm fine, I'm back playing, everything is all good.

"Hopefully come crunch time I can put some performances on the board.

"(But) if we're winning I'm not too fussed how I'm going personally."

Left-arm bowlers have emerged as the dominant force with the ball in the group stage of the World Cup, with five of the top 10 wicket-takers to date being southpaws.

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But heading into Saturday's match at his home ground, Faulkner is under no illusion that – just as has been the case in his two World Cup outings to date at the WACA Ground and the SCG – it will be the bat that dominates.

Australia's only international hit-out in Hobart this summer came during the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series when England posted a daunting tally of 8-303 from their 50 overs and Australia, led by Steve Smith's unbeaten 102, chased it down with a ball to spare.

Faulkner is expecting the Blundstone pitch will be similarly friendly to the stroke players.

"I think last time we played here it was a pretty solid wicket, so we're expecting a lot of runs," he said.

"So far in the tournament, it's been no surprise that so many runs have been scored and the pitches have been pretty consistent.

"So I'm expecting a big total here in Hobart."

Sri Lanka have indicated they will wait for another day before making a call on whether injured batsman Dinesh Chandimal will become the latest player to be replaced in their World Cup squad.

Chandimal was in impressive form and appeared capable of leading his team to a remarkable win over Australia in Sydney last night before he suffered a right hamstring injury and was forced to retire hurt on 52 from 24 balls.

While a hamstring tear would effectively sideline the 25-year-old 'keeper-batsman for the remainder of the tournament, Sri Lanka officials have indicated they will assess Chandimal's condition over coming days before deciding whether replacement batsman Kusal Perera will be brought into the squad in his place.