Australia spinner Nathan Hauritz to have surgery

Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz is to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder in a bid to return to fitness in time for the World Cup, Cricket Australia said on Sunday.                                           

The off-spinner, dropped from the team for the Ashes series, capped a miserable summer when he dislocated his shoulder fielding in the second one-day international against England on Friday.    

"Nathan Hauritz will have arthroscopic surgery of his shoulder joint in Melbourne," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement.   

"This is a small procedure that we hope will give him the best opportunity to be available for the... World Cup.                                           

"He will then have a period of intense rehabilitation and attempt to return to training in the coming weeks if we feel this is appropriate.    

"His availability for the World Cup will depend on his progress through this rehabilitation."                                           

Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty was drafted into the Australia one-day squad on Saturday for the next two of the seven matches against England.   

Australia also have concerns about two other bowlers in their 15-man World Cup squad with Mitchell Johnson suffering from a throat infection and fellow paceman Shaun Tait struggling with a thigh injury. 

Batsman Mike Hussey, who contributed several of Australia's few highlights in the Ashes drubbing, has also undergone surgery on a hamstring problem in a bid to be fit for the tournament. 

The World Cup is being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Feb. 19 to April 2.

Australia, who have won the last three versions, have been drawn in Group A for the opening stage along with Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Canada and Pakistan.