Two come to Faulk in road

WORLD CUP

JAMES Faulkner is officially back, meaning two of Australia’s star allrounders are sweating bullets.

Either Shane Watson or Mitchell Marsh will feel the axe for tomorrow’s World Cup clash against Afghanistan in Perth.

Faulkner removed any doubt he will return to action from his side strain at the WACA, but mystery surrounds how he will fit back in the XI.

The last time he was in Perth, for the one-day triseries final against England on February 1, he walked off clutching his side and fearing his World Cup was over.

But after Australia’s batting performance last week at Eden Park, the timing couldn’t be better for their best finisher to return to the fold.

Unless selectors bring Faulkner in for injured fast bowler Pat Cummins, it would seem Watson and Marsh have plenty to be nervous about.

They trained yesterday, as did captain Michael Clarke — who pulled up well from the arduous 7.5-hour flight from Auckland.

The only concern to emerge from the session yesterday was that Glenn Maxwell copped a nasty blow on his finger bowling and had the injury iced.

Faulkner declared he would come back at full capacity.

“If I get through [training], I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be picked as an allrounder,” he said before bowling five overs at full pace and without incident in the nets.

“I’m not too sure how many overs they want me to bowl.

“I’ll leave the selectors with that decision.

“I’m back to the scene of the crime.”

Even if Faulkner isn’t capable of bowling 10 overs at this stage, the Afghanistan clash makes perfect sense for him to