BBC SPORT | Cricket | Waugh twins left out again

The chances of Steve and Mark Waugh playing in next year's World Cup have receded following the announcement of Australia's latest one-day squad.

They have been left out of a 14-man squad for next month's series against Pakistan, which is expected to take place in Kenya, and the Champions Trophy event featuring all the major cricket nations which follows in Sri Lanka from 12-27 September.

Sports Talk: Any way back for the Waughs?

The selectors have kept faith with the players on duty for the home Super Challenge II series against Pakistan last month, which Australia lost 2-1.

"The Australian squad has imminent opportunities to try to gel into a unit capable of defending Australia's champion status at next year's World Cup," said chief selector Trevor Hohns.

Kiwis turn down Kenya invite

"The Champions Trophy will be the only chance we have to see all teams in action prior to the World Cup, and we believe the players chosen for this tournament will be critical towards that World Cup push."

Potential

Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz is the only addition, and he was part of the squad which won 6-1 in South Africa earlier this year.

"The only reason Nathan was not selected for Super Challenge II was that it was a very short series, and only one spin bowler was necessary.

Justin Langer
Langer will skipper the A team in South Africa

"We said at the time of selecting that squad, that Nathan has a bright future at the international level and was certainly in the mix for a re-call later in the year," Hohns added.

The two Waughs, now 37, have not played one-day cricket for Australia since February, although Steve remains captain of the Test side.

He has made 325 one-day appearances, 106 of them as captain, while Mark is Australia's leading run scorer in limited overs internationals with 8,500 in 244 matches.

The selectors have also named a 14-man Australia A squad to tour South Africa in September.

They will be led by Test opener Justin Langer and will play seven one-day games against South Africa A.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Australia A squad: Justin Langer (captain), Simon Katich (vice-captain), Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Ian Harvey, Mark Higgs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Damien Wright.


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