Australian selector Allan Border has challenged the nation's cricketers to help end the search for a world-class allrounder. He said the start of the new season in October 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. "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. If we get that position filled well, we're going to be very hard to beat in that World Cup."

Tasmanian Shane Watson was Australia's latest experiment in the position after the selectors overlooked Andrew Symonds and Ian Harvey for the recent one-day series against Pakistan. But 21-year-old Watson hasn't looked the part yet – in seven matches, he has scored 89 runs at 17.80, and taken only two wickets at an economy rate of 5.49 runs per over. Meanwhile, New South Wales allrounder Shane Lee has not played a one-day international since April 2001, during Australia's tour of India.

Border also said it was possible that Steve and Mark Waugh could return to the national one-day team after being axed earlier this year. "If they're playing for NSW (New South Wales) next year, they're in our thoughts, that's all I can say on it," Border said. "They're very determined blokes, aren't they, so anything could happen. If you just keep putting yourself up for selection, as long as your form holds, there won't be a problem. 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. 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. 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."

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