Aust players kept guessing by selectors

A single change to Australia's bowling attack is the latest but not the last team reshuffle ahead of the side's World Cup finals campaign.

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins (pic) replaces Xavier Doherty in the Australian XI for their last World Cup pool match. (AAP)

Selectors are still some time away from finalising the XI who will take Australia into the World Cup finals.

Skipper Michael Clarke praised the sense of the panel who he said are basing their decisions on conditions and opponents.

Speaking in Hobart ahead of Australia's last Pool A match against Scotland on Saturday, Clarke confirmed one change to the side which secured a 64-run victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday, with paceman Pat Cummins replacing spinner Xavier Doherty.

But it's unlikely to be the last reshuffle of the team before Australia's March 20 quarter final at Adelaide Oval.

"It's going to take all 15 squad members to win this World Cup," Clarke told reporters in Hobart on Friday.

"I like the fact the selectors are picking players for conditions and opposition.

"I think we'd be silly to pick our team today for the World Cup quarter final. We don't know what we're going to get in Adelaide, we don't know what the wicket will be like, we still don't know who we will be playing against.

"I think we assess that next week or in a few days."

Clarke was unable to shed any light on why Cummins was been given the nod for Saturday's game over Josh Hazlewood, saying both have performed well in the tournament.

"It's probably a question for the selectors."

Australia's batting order will also be changed for Saturday's match.

"I think the order will be a little bit different as well to try and give guys a hit ahead of our quarter-final," Clarke said.

Along with Shane Watson and James Faulkner, Clarke said he needed to spend some more time at the crease.

But there were no clues as to the order, which last match saw Steve Smith at No.3 and Shane Watson listed at No.5 but dropped a place during the game to make way for Glenn Maxwell.

Still adhering to a modified training schedule following hamstring surgery, Clarke said he's 100 per cent fit, but on Friday hadn't decided where he would slot in to the batting order.

Australia are almost certain of victory on Saturday against winless Scotland but the hosts won't be approaching the clash with any less ambition.

"Our goal doesn't change: we want to win the match, however we do that I'll be happy," Clarke said.

For the Scots, Saturday's match has been described as an honour by captain Preston Mommsen, who said the mood in his camp is positive.

"We know we are up against it tomorrow again, against a quality side, with a very strong lineup," he told reporters on Friday.

"It's something that as a group, we are looking to embrace the experience ... it's very exciting for us. We have to stay level, stay composed for as long as possible and find a way into the game as early on as possible."


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Source: AAP


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