Aussies have enough ammo to cover up for Bracken loss, says White

Johannesburg, Sep 25(ANI): Australian batsman Cameron White has expressed confidence that the world champions can cover for the absence of fast bowler Nathan Bracken during the Champions Trophy tournament.

Bracken was sent home on Thursday due to a knee injury. His loss is a big blow for the Aussies, as he has the ability to take wickets at regular intervals through his changes of pace and subtle movements.

Australia will start their Champions Trophy campaign against West Indies on Saturday at the Wanderers.

"Nathan played a pretty big part for us in the series (win) against England and for the past couple of years in one-day cricket," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted White, as saying.

White further reckons that Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus can be new ball options, while all rounders James Hopes and Shane Watson could be effective in the middle overs.

"It's a big loss for the side, but I think we've got adequate replacements and those guys got a bit of cricket in England, and I'm sure they'll do very well," he added.

White also said the Australians should not under-estimate the West Indies, who are missing most of their senior players due to a contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.

"It's been well publicised about what team they've brought and most of the time you want to play against the best payers, but at the moment there's really nothing we can do about that," White said. (ANI)