Steve Waugh admits he has little chance of forcing his way back into the side for Australia's defence of the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Waugh, 37, was replaced by Ricky Ponting as captain of the limited-overs side in January following the team's poor performance in the annual home triangular tournament.

At the time he vowed to get back into coloured kit in time for the one-day showpiece, beginning in February.

But time is running out for the selectors to act, with just the triangular tournament against England and Sri Lanka - possibly involving 11 game sfor the hosts - before the World Cup.

The team has prospered without Waugh, winning 12 of 18 matches and reaching the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

And Australia's selectors signalled their decision to move on by dropping Waugh's twin Mark from the Test side this week.

"Realistically, there won't be too many changes for the squad to South Africa," said Waugh.

"It would probably be a 50% chance and probably a lot lower than that. It's a pretty low chance."

In 325 one-day internationals, Waugh has scored 7569 runs, his highest an unbeaten 120 in a vital second round World Cup match against South Africa in 1999.

"It's not a matter of proving the selectors wrong," he added.

"It's a matter of getting myself in contention and if there needs to be a change I'm available."

There has been much speculation that he will retire from Test cricket in the New Year, following the Ashes series, although Waugh insists he has yet to decide.