December 3, 2002	Tuesday	Ramazan 27,1423

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MELBOURNE, Dec 2: Australia left out World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh when they named a 30-man squad Monday for their defence of the trophy in South Africa in February next year.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) did not name a skipper for the squad. However, Ricky Ponting has led the one-day side this year and was named Monday to captain Australia in the opening two triangular series limited overs matches against England on Dec 13 and 15.

Ponting, who turns 28 later this month, was named captain of the one-day side when Waugh was dropped from the team in South Africa earlier this year. Australia won that series 5-1.

Ponting’s side lost to Pakistan 2-1 in Australia in June and reached the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy in Colombo in September before losing to Sri Lanka by seven wickets.

Waugh remains Test captain and has led Australia to a 3-0 winning lead after three matches in the five-match Ashes series in Australia. However, the 37-year-old has been unable to win back his place in the one-day side which he led to victory in the 1999 World Cup final against Pakistan at Lord’s.

Waugh released a statement Monday to say he was “obviously disappointed”.

“I still believe there is a chance I can make it to the World Cup as players can come from outside that 30-man squad to make the final 15,” said Waugh, who will play a one-day game for New South Wales against England in Sydney Friday.

Waugh’s Test team mate Shane Warne said he was surprised selectors could not squeeze the veteran into a 30-man squad.

“Thirty cricketers, that’s a few cricketers,” Warne told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio.

“It’s probably very disappointing for Stephen and it’s a bit surprising. But basically the selectors have to make their decision and they’ve made it.”

Ponting told a news conference in Perth: “He would obviously be very disappointed. You can never write someone like Steve Waugh off.”

Waugh said Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns had spoken to him during the weekend to explain the decision.

Australia: Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Justin Langer, Jimmy Maher, Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Ryan Campbell, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hogg, Mike Hussey, Ashley Noffke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Brad Haddin, Ian Harvey, Cameron White, Mark Higgs, Damien Wright.

Meanwhile, Selectors on Monday also named the Australia A squad which will play matches against England on December 8 in Sydney and Sri Lanka on Dec 14 in Brisbane.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Australia A: Justin Langer (capt), Jimmy Maher, Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Ryan Campbell, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Ashley Noffke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams.—AFP