Brett Lee included in initial Australia World Cup squad

Former test fast bowler Brett  Lee was included in Australia's initial 30-man squad for next year's World Cup, which was announced by Cricket Australia on Friday.

The 34-year-old, who retired from test cricket at the start of this year in the hope of extending his career in shorter forms of the game, last played a one-day international in India in October last year.

The squad will be halved with the final list of 15 players  being submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) before January 19.

"Australia is the reigning world champion and also holds  the ICC Champions Trophy in the 50-over game," chief selector Andrew Hilditch said in a news release.

"We've selected an initial squad with conditions in India,  Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in mind and expect this group to be equal to the challenge ahead."

The 10th World Cup takes place from February 19 to April 2.

Squad - Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug  Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson,  Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Brad  Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell  Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay,  Stephen O''Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle,  Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David  Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.