Gilly set for entire World Cup

Adam Gilchrist © Getty Images

Australia’s vice-captain Adam Gilchrist will be available for the defending champions' entire World Cup campaign after the birth of his third child, Archie Douglas, on Friday.

The wicket-keeper was due to miss the first three weeks of the tournament after Cricket Australia granted him compassionate leave.

But Gilchrist has made himself available for Australia’s opening Group A game against Scotland in St Kitts on March 14.

The 35-year-old will not fly to the West Indies with the rest of the squad as he is spending a few days with his family.

However, he is expected to arrive in the Caribbean before his side’s first World Cup warm up match against Zimbabwe on March 6.

Gilchrist recently missed Australia’s 3-0 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series defeat to New Zealand to spend time with his pregnant wife Melinda.

He said: "We're delighted that Archie has arrived safely as a brother for Harrison [aged 5] and Annie [aged 2]. Melinda and Archie are fit and well and our thanks go to all the staff at the hospital, who were brilliant."