Faulkner can play for Australia only as a batsman

Hobart, Feb 3 (IANS) Injured Australian cricketer James Faulkner’s state team coach Dan Marsh said Tuesday the all-rounder was capable of playing for the national team purely as a batsman if injury restricts his contributions as a bowler.

Faulkner is suffering from a moderate grade abdominal muscle strain and is expected to miss Australia's World Cup opener against England. But Tasmania's coach Marsh believes Faulkner could bat as high as number six even if he doesn't bowl.

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"I think it is something that he's always been picked as, an all-rounder, for Australia but there is no doubt that he's got the talent to do it," he was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

"It just depends on the role they want him to play. I think he's a good enough player to bat higher up the order if needed. I know he's done it before at No.6 for Australia."

Faulkner went off the field Sunday in the tri-series final against England after complaining of a side strain.

Faulkner averages a healthy 48.12 with the bat from 38 One-Day Internationals.