March 22, 2002	Friday	Muharram 7, 1423

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JOHANNESBURG, March 21: Defending champions Australia start their countdown to the 2003 World Cup when they meet South Africa in the first of seven One-day Internationals at Wanderers Stadium here Friday.

A new-look squad, led by batting supremo Ricky Ponting, is designed to take Australia through to next year’s tournament, which will be played at the same venue on March 23 next year, one year and one day after Friday’s match.

Ponting has been appointed as captain in place of Steve Waugh, who was axed as one-day captain by Australian cricket authorities.

Waugh, who captained Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup in Britain, is on holiday at a game reserve in South Africa.

The Australian test skipper and brother Mark Waugh were dropped out of a 15-man one-day squad which includes two uncapped players in Tasmanian all-rounder Shane Watson and Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, both aged 20.

Australian convener of selectors Trevor Johns said earlier this month at the announcement of the team: “We think we have chosen a squad that has a good mix of youth and experience. Giving the side a chance to play together in South Africa and Zimbabwe will prepare it well for next year’s World Cup.”

Shaun Pollock will return as captain of South Africa’s one-day squad after missing the Test series against Australia because of a side strain.

South Africa won a triangular series in Australia last month, beating New Zealand in the best-of-three finals after Australia failed to qualify.

All three teams finished on equal wins in the round robin stage, with Australia being squeezed out on bonus points.

But Australia won three of their four matches against South Africa in the tournament.

South Africa will be buoyed by a win in the third and final Test in Durban Monday, which ended a string of five successive Test defeats against Australia.

One of the key selection posers the Australians will hope to resolve in South Africa is the opening batting pair.

Mark Waugh and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist had been regular openers but Test opener Matthew Hayden has been recalled to the one-day side and will have a chance to win a long-term place in the shorter version of the game after playing in only 29 One-day Internationals.

Also in the squad is Queensland opening batsman Jimmy Maher, who shone for Australia ‘A’ against South Africa and New Zealand and was outstanding in Australian domestic matches this season.

South Africa have a formidable record in One-day Internationals at home, where they have not lost a series since Australia pipped them 4-3 in 1996/97.

One of the keys for the home side could be World Cup star, all-rounder Lance Klusener, who has been back to his best form, starring in two provincial four-day matches after being dropped from South Africa’s Test side.

Teams (from):

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher (vice-captain), Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Jonty Rhodes, Roger Telemachus.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Umpires: Brian Jerling and Rudi Koertzen.

TV umpire: Shahid Wadvalla.

Match referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies).—AFP