Steve Waugh was not included in the Australian World Cup squad, putting an end to his desperate attempt to return as a one-day international player. Shane Warne, however, was selected despite his dislocated shoulder. Waugh led the Australians to their second World Cup triumph in 1999 but was dropped from the one-day squad in February, when Ricky Ponting replaced him as captain. Since then, Waugh's futile attempts to impress the selectors included an outlandish offer to bowl spin if chosen instead of the injured Warne.

Waugh, a veteran of 325 one-day battles, still enjoys substantial support from a grateful country, but the selectors chose to ignore reminders that Australia could miss Waugh's trademark grit and determination - traits that earned them their last World Cup victory.

Warne was selected on a gamble. Trevor Hohns, chairman of selectors, said: "Shane Warne has been selected on the basis that he will be fit for the tournament but, if that is not the case, we will obviously review that situation."

John Buchanan, Australia's coach, meanwhile said that he would be content if Warne was in action by mid-tournament. The Super-Six stage begins on March 7, and Warne's rehabilitation is expected to be complete by then.

"We're certainly looking at making a decision (on Warne's fitness) as early as feasible - but giving him as much time as possible," Buchanan said. ""He's one of the bowlers we will always go to to bowl us ten overs in a one-day game. If he wasn't available from the outset, we would like to think he was playing at least by mid-tournament. In a general sense, that's probably a cut-off."

Brad Hogg pipped Nathan Hauritiz for the second spinner's spot. Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson were picked as allrounders, while Jimmy Maher is the extra batsman included.

"Brad replaced Warne in the VB series match in Perth and given his performance there, on top of his excellent one-day form of the past few seasons, he deserves his spot as back-up," explained Hohns. "Andrew Symonds offers us variety and match-winning potential. He is a player we feel is ready to offer us a consistent all-round package."

Despite the rejection of Waugh, the selectors appear keen to stick to the tried-and-tested campaigners. The likes of Jimmy Maher and Andy Bichel, who have been part of the group for years, have been preferred to relative unknowns like Michael Clarke (New South Wales) and Matthew Inness (Victoria). The only veteran with a grouse would be Ian Harvey, sidelined at the expense of Symonds and Watson. If Australia do retain the trophy, as many expect them to, the lack of adventure shown by the selectors will be justified. If not, the cull that follows could take the selectors with it.

The squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

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