The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) have added offspinner Nathan Hauritz to an otherwise unchanged squad for their one-day series against Pakistan next month, while naming Justin Langer as captain of a 14-man A squad to tour South Africa in September. At 31, Langer is the oldest member of the A squad, and so, unsurprisingly, there is no room for the 37-year-old Waugh twins, whose hopes of making it to the World Cup in February have receded ever further.

Nevertheless Adam Gilchrist, who is Steve Waugh's deputy in the Test side, was among those to express surprise the twins didn't make it to either squad.

"It is a bit odd," said Gilchrist. "Obviously ... the Waughs could easily slot into any team and still do well."

Langer, who played his last one-dayer for Australia five years ago, was adamant that Steve Waugh in particular could not be written off: "There is no doubt he has got the ability to [make a comeback]," he said. "Having spoken to him recently, he still has the desire to do it and, if any person could do it against all the odds that are probably stacked against him to do it and make a return, he could."

Other members of the A team include Ian Harvey, Simon Katich and Nathan Bracken, all of whom have represented the senior side, while for the likes of Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey, the tour is an opportunity to put some pressure on the established campaigners.

One notable selection is that of the 31-year-old left-arm spinner Brad Hogg, who played one Test and seven one-day internationals in 1996-97, before fading from the scene.

Trevor Hohns, chairman of the selection committee, was "very, very comfortable" with the two sides: "There's a couple of guys [in the A squad] I suppose who are a bit of a look-and-see proposition - we are experimenting a little bit."

"These matches against South Africa A provide players with valuable experience at the international level and importantly, for those players who may eventually be selected for the World Cup, the familiarity of playing in South Africa."

Steve Waugh led Australia to an unprecedented run of one-day success in the wake of the World Cup triumph in 1999, but this latest setback is another message from the powers-that-be that back pages count for nothing in the modern game.

Australia Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist (wk), Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.

Australia A Justin Langer (capt), Simon Katich, Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell (wk), Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Ian Harvey, Mark Higgs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams, Damien Wright.

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