SYDNEY, July 3 AAP - Australian selector Allan Border today challenged the nation's cricketers to help end the search for a world class allrounder.

Border said the start of the coming season was a crucial time for Australia to unearth a genuine allrounder ahead of the 2003 World Cup.

"We've been trying to get that role filled," Border told reporters in Sydney.

"We've got good candidates in there but they haven't quite grabbed the position and said, `look, this is mine'.

"Whoever sticks their hand up over the next 12 months or leading into the World Cup, that will be a key position for us."

NSW allrounder Shane Lee has not played a one-day international since April, 2001, during Australia's tour of India.

Meanwhile, young Tasmanian Shane Watson is Australia's latest experiment in the position after selectors overlooked Andrew Symonds and Ian Harvey for the recent one-day series against Pakistan.

But the jury remains undecided on 21-year-old Watson, who has a mediocre economy rate of 5.49 runs per over from his first seven one-day internationals.

Border said while a new talent could emerge at any time, he was hopeful one of Australia's tried allrounders would step up.

"Who knows? Someone might just come out of the blue, that would be great," Border said.

"There's four or five guys there that have been given opportunities in the past, haven't quite grabbed it, they've shown glimpses of fantastic form.

"I'm just hoping that they take the bull by the horns and start the season with the whips cracking and grab the position.

"It's what we really need and if we get that position filled well, we're going to be very hard to beat in that World Cup."

Steve and Mark Waugh remain on the fringe of Australia's one-day side after being axed earlier this year and either could play an allround role if they manage to win back a spot.

Border said it was possible the brothers could return to the short version of the game.

"If they're playing for NSW next year, they're in our thoughts, that's all I can say on it," Border said.

"Whoever is playing first class cricket they're in the hunt.

"They're very determined blokes, aren't they, so anything could happen."

Border said he was not overly worried about the Waugh twins, who recently turned 37, ending their Test careers together and leaving a hole in the Australian team.

Asked if the brothers were running the risk of losing their spots before making their own decisions on when to quit, Border said: "I suppose that's the risk you take, isn't it?"

"If you just keep putting yourself up for selection, as long as your form holds, there won't be a problem. But the time will come, won't it, that happens to all of us.

"To me, if you keep yourself in good nick, age is not the problem. Stephen keeps saying that, as does Mark."

Border also said he was confident about Australia's prospects for the World Cup, which starts in South Africa next February.

And he was particularly pleased with Ricky Ponting's one-day captaincy.

"We've got world class players all over the place and we've got a host of younger guys coming through the ranks," he said.

"I suppose we might live or die about how those young players come through this next season ... it will be interesting to see who comes out of the pack."

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.