MELBOURNE, Jan 10: Steve Waugh’s champion Australian line-up will have one eye focused on next year’s World Cup as they grapple with New Zealand and South Africa in this summer’s 190,000 dollars (US$95,000) tri-nations one-day series starting here Friday.

The first of 12 qualifying matches leading up to the best-of-three finals in February gets under way at the MCG when the home country take on the Kiwis in a day-night encounter.

Waugh has made it clear his side will continue to experiment with tactics and players in preparation for the World Cup in South Africa early next year.

The Cup holders have won their last 19 matches in the Australian limited-overs competition dating back to early 2000.

Waugh said Thursday the team owed it to the likes of one-day specialists Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey and Andrew Symonds.

Australia (in probable batting order): Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh (captain), Damien Martyn, Ian Harvey, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Brad Williams, Glenn McGrath. Andrew Symonds (12th man).

New Zealand: To be named.—AFP