Were the Aussies too hasty in binning the Waugh twins?

Australia dropped skipper Steve Waugh and brother Mark after the world champions failed to reach the final of the triangular series with South Africa and New Zealand at the start of the year.

Ricky Ponting stepped into the breach as captain, young all-rounder Shane Watson was drafted and Darren Lehmann and Jimmy Maher were recalled to a new-look squad.

But former captain Border has indicated that form, rather than age, would determine whether they could regain their places.

Have the changes damaged Australia's World Cup chances? And should Steve and Mark be recalled?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.

The Waughs should be brought back. Their experience will come in handy in the World Cup. They have delivered more often than not on the big stage and the same can be expected of them this time also.
Praveen, USA

I think the Waugh brothers play a key role in Australian cricket. Leaving them out of the World Cup will be a big mistake on the selector's part. It is still a shock to me that they were dropped.
Dassil Charles, Grenada, WI

The boys will be back, don't you worry about that. No matter who the hell you are and what record you have, you still have to earn a spot in any Australian side. This is just the sort of kick in the backside both the Waughs needed.

No. During the cricket season, Australia flogged South Africa in their own back yard without the Waughs. The difference is that Australia does not have to hold on to its aged cricket players since there is plenty of quality depth in the country.

The selectors have made this decision within enough time to blood youngsters before the next World Cup. The decision is progressive, a decision to pick the Waughs would certainly be regressive.
Daryl, Australia

Leave them out and give the Poms a chance!
Tom, UK

Over the years Australia have produced great leaders but I can't foresee Ricky Ponting filling the role with great success. Steve Waugh's leadership and motivation led to Australia winning the previous World Cup from a disastrous situation.

He also transformed them into one of the great Test teams of all time. The current lot forms a very good unit but will struggle against quality opposition without Steve Waugh leading them.

Steve has a knack of coming good with the bat when the team needs it most and the twins have a reputation of breaking long partnerships with the ball. The twins give the Aussies an extra bowling option. Mark may not merit a place in the starting lineup based on his recent performance and with Hayden doing a good job at the top of the order but he does merit a place in the squad.
Hiten Kothari, USA

The Waugh twins have been proven match winners in crucial situations. Whilst many others have great talent, it's often variable. The Waughs, time after time, have produced consistent performances to win the big games.

You need that experience for this World Cup. Everybody has bad runs. It's just that because the Aussies are so used to winning, any blemishes show up like a sore thumb. Unfortunately, this time it was the twins who suffered because of the Tri-Nations defeats.

Every nation has peaks and troughs - Australia is no different. They must play a part in the ODIs, perhaps just to guide the others for another year to establish themselves as the kings of the white ball game.
Neil Picton, England

Without the Waugh brothers back in the team, Australia won't win the next World Cup. Mark's fielding and all rounder ability and Steve's insight into cricket as well as his ability to perform with the bat in crucial stages have been the key factors in most of their wins.
Amer Saeed, USA

The Waugh Twins certainly deserve one more chance.Their experience to deliver in crunch situations has no substitue and a recall can motivate them to perform better and this would be very good for Australian cricket.

They still have the capacity to walk that extra mile to lift themselves up. Recalling the Waugh twins would do a world of good for the Australian team.
Tej Patri, USA

It's shameful to drop such greatly talented players on the basis of one bad tournament. I mean, the Australian team has been having a very successful run recently. It's just plain wrong what's being done to the Waughs. As an Australian I lament this desicion. As a member of any other cricketing nation I would be estatic.
Shane West, Australia

The Waugh twins are class players who should never have been cast aside as they were. Players should be selected on current form.I just wish they were English!!
Paul, Vale of Glamorgan, UK

If Alec Stewart can perform this well after a lay-off of almost a year, why not Waugh brothers? I agree with Alan Border, Australia is running out of time and their decision to drop these two greats seems to be back firing. Bring them back!!
Dushy, Canada

Get 'em back in there. I still believe they both have much to offer in terms of both their skill and leadership qualities. The Australian public seems to suffer from 'short memory' syndrome - eg Mark Taylor 1997. Having said that, with a home series against England just around the corner, what better time to blood some new talent prior to the World Cup.

Unfortunatley, save for the ageing Lehmann, I don't think there is a glaring candidate for either the number four or five positions. Perhaps the selectors should consider a reshuffle in the existing order, like moving an already proven test class player such as Damien Martyn to four and replacing him with say - Michael Clarke of NSW.

Whatever happens, the future is bright back in Oz.
Matthew Balch, UK

I think the inclusion of the Waugh twins is crucial if Australia are to life the 2003 world cup. I cannot believe they were dropped. I think the Australian board have to accept they have to lose once in a while and not change the side becuase of one series defeat.
Adam Harchuk, England