Hastings to play important role in World Cup: Border

Former Australia captain Allan Border has said that Victoria medium-pacer John Hastings, who was relatively unknown a year ago, is set to play an important role in Australia's defence of the World Cup. 

Australia is set to use their pace attack on the subcontinent, with Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger included in the 15-man squad.

Border believes Hastings, who took 2-24 from six overs in Australia's warm-up game against India, could serve as the perfect foil for the trio of fast men.

"I'd probably go Johnny Hastings initially, with Bollinger as cover if one of the three quicks aren't going at their best," Fox Sports quoted him, as saying.

Border also said that Australia's 6-1 series win over England has given the team confidence, and added that Ricky Ponting's men can go close to winning an historic fourth-straight World Cup.

Australia is in Group A along with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada.

Border said the group stage is the perfect opportunity for Australia to get their pace bowlers firing.

"The way the tournament's structured, you're going to have to play like absolute drongos not to get through to the quarter-finals. I think initially they'll be trying to get the quick bowlers in their best form," he said.