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Faulkner aims up for World T20

Allrounder James Faulkner will head to Brisbane on Monday in a bid to fast-track his recovery from knee surgery for Australia’s T20 series in South Africa.

Australia will play a three-game T20 series against the Proteas on March 9, 12 and 14 before heading to Bangladesh for the World T20.

“I head up to Brisbane to the cricket academy on Monday and I’ll stay there for the week,” Faulkner told reporters on Friday at Cricket Australia’s World Cup 2015 launch in Melbourne.

“Fingers crossed I’ll be running by the end of this week and bowling at the end of the month off a short run-up.

“I’m probably three or four weeks away.”

Faulkner has been ruled out of Australia’s three-Test series in South Africa.

The 23-year-old was the hero of Australia’s one-wicket win in their one-day clash with England at the Gabba on January 17 after blasting an unbeaten 69 off 47 balls when all hope appeared lost.

Australia haven’t hosted the World Cup since 1992 and haven’t claimed the title since 2007.

“It’s quite embarrassing,” the fresh-faced Faulkner grinned as he stood beside the trophy.

“I was only one the last time it was in Australia.

“Playing backyard cricket as a junior, it’s a thing you dream about.

“It would be a dream come true and it would be even better to hold the Cup up in 2015.

“But having said that, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.”

The success of the T20 format domestically in Australia and the anticipation surrounding the forthcoming World T20 event has shot the ultra-short form of the game to prominence at the expense of the 50-over format at times this summer.

“T20 has had a massive impact on 50-over cricket,” Faulkner said.

“At the moment it’s all Twenty20, Twenty20 everywhere.

“When the World Cup rolls around (in 2015) it’s going to be a really important series and I’m sure everyone will be even more excited than any T20 cricket they’ve played.”

New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in Christchurch and Australia will play England at the MCG on February 14, 2015 on the opening day of the tournament. The MCG will host the final on March 29.

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