Faulkner relieved after bowling workout

James Faulkner's status as Australia's premier fast-bowling allrounder in ODIs was clear from the way selector Rod Marsh spoke about him on Wednesday. Having missed Australia's first three games with a side strain, Faulkner was fit for the match against Afghanistan. "We had to fit James in and someone had to go," Marsh said.

That someone was Shane Watson, former vice-captain and veteran of 182 ODIs and 13 years in the national set-up. But Faulkner, two years and 38 games with the team, was viewed as indispensable, such is his value as a finisher with the bat at No.8 and as a key bowler through the middle overs.

On Sunday, against Sri Lanka at the MCG, Watson was back, Mitchell Marsh was left out, and Faulkner showed with the ball why he was seen as such an important player. Sri Lanka threatened to chase down Australia's 376 with some remarkable top-order batting, but Faulkner's wrist-spin slower ball trapped Tillakaratne Dilshan lbw for 62, before he also claimed Kumar Sangakkara for 104.

Faulkner added the wicket of Upul Tharanga later and finished with 3 for 48 from his nine overs, which was a highly encouraging effort after bowling only four in the big win over Afghanistan. Having spent a full month on the sidelines with his injury, Faulkner was as keen as anyone to see how he would get through a full bowling load.

"I'm fortunate the way they've looked after me, they've given me every chance to get back," Faulkner said. "Last night, I'd be lying to say it wasn't a relief to get through nine overs. I was confident I was going to get through my ten overs, but it was nice to ease back in with four overs against Afghanistan and then get a solid performance in yesterday."

Faulkner arrived in Hobart on Monday ahead of Australia's last pool match before the quarter-finals, a clash with Scotland at Bellerive Oval on Saturday. It continues a busy travel schedule for Australia, who have criss-crossed the country and the Tasman Sea for games in Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Perth, Sydney and now Hobart.

Their quarter-final will be in Adelaide, and they have now likely done enough to ensure they will not have to face New Zealand in a semi-final in Auckland, meaning they will again travel to Sydney if they make the semis.

"We can't control the fixture," Faulkner said. "You can whinge and moan as much as you want to, but it is what it is, and we've got to play good cricket every time we get the opportunity to play. I think last night was a really big game for us.

"It was a must-win game for us to sit second on the table and have a real crack at this tournament. Hopefully it keeps us in good shape and hopefully we can play good cricket come crunch time."

The Tasmanian contingent of Faulkner, George Bailey and Xavier Doherty have travelled to Hobart, but the players have been given two days off and will not reconvene as a group until Wednesday. Faulkner said he would enjoy some family time this week before switching back into World Cup mode.

"I'm going to head down the east coast, I've got a bit of family down there," Faulkner said. "I'll spend a couple of days down there and then back to training on Wednesday, Thursday."