Intro:

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson says captain Michael Clarke should return from a hamstring tear in time for the Cricket World Cup. Baggy Greens team-mates Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch also preview the tournament, which begins on 14 February.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Shane Watson, Australia all-rounder:

(on the fitness of captain Michael Clarke and all-rounder James Faulkner)

"I think they are going along as planned at the moment, both Michael and James as well. I know for James it's going to be a bit longer period of time to get his side right but I know Michael is continuing to come along really well. I'm sure he'll be ready to go by that deadline."

SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Maxwell, Australia all-rounder:

(on pressure from the ICC to reduce bat sizes for future tournaments - and reaction on comments from England captain Eoin Morgan after he criticised the ICC's plans)

"Yeah, I understand where he's coming from, that I don't believe it makes much of a difference. I think players have certain things they want to look down on when they go out to bat. I think it's a very important thing in a batsman's kit where they have to feel comfortable with what they are using. Whether their bat is enormous or their bat is skinny I don't think it makes much of a difference to how far the ball travels. I think you can still have quite a small, skinny bat and it will still travel. I had a look at a few of KP's (Kevin Pieterson) bats during the Stars (Melbourne Stars) games and he had the thinnest bats of all time, they looked horrible but he was still hitting them miles."

SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Maxwell, Australia all-rounder:

(on keeping Australia's winning momentum going into the World Cup)

"I think we want to win every game for the rest of the summer and we have really set that as a benchmark for Australia this whole summer. It's going to be tough but we have got the side and we have got the momentum at the moment."

SOUNDBITE (English) Aaron Finch, Australia batsman:

"Yeah it's exciting. The boys were pretty good around the change room in keeping it low key during the Tri-Series but I think the last couple of days it's just starting to take over and everyone is getting a bit toe-y and a bit excited."