Defending champions Australia start their countdown to the 2003 World Cup when they meet South Africa in the first ofseven one-day internationals at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.

A new-look squad, led by Ricky Ponting, is designed to take Australia through to next year's tournament. Ponting has been appointed as captain in place of Steve Waugh, who was axed by the Australian cricket authorities. Waugh, who captained Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup, is on holiday at a game reserve in South Africa.

He and brother Mark Waugh were dropped from a 15-man one-day squad, which includes two uncapped players - Tasmania allrounder Shane Watson and Queensland offspinner Nathan Hauritz, both aged 20.

Australian convener of selectors Trevor Hohns said earlier this month at the announcement of the team: "We think we have chosen a squad that has a good mix of youth and experience. Giving the side a chance to play together in South Africa and Zimbabwe will prepare it well for next year's World Cup."

Shaun Pollock will return as captain of South Africa's one-day squad after missing the Test series against Australia because of a side strain.

South Africa won the triangular series in Australia last month, beating New Zealand in the best-of-three finals after Australia failed to qualify. All three teams finished with the same number of wins in the round-robin stage, with Australia being squeezed out on bonus points. But Australia won three of their four matches against South Africa in the tournament.

South Africa will be buoyed by a win in the third and final Test at Durban on Monday, which ended a string of five successive Test defeats by Australia.

One of the key selection posers the Australians will hope to resolve in South Africa is the opening batting pair. Mark Waugh and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist had been regular openers but Matthew Hayden has been recalled to the one-day side and will have a chance to win a long-term place after playing in only 29 one-day internationals.

Also in the squad is Queensland's opening batsman Jimmy Maher, who shone for Australia A against South Africa and New Zealand and was outstanding in Australian domestic matches this season.

South Africa have a formidable record in one-day internationals at home, where they have not lost a series since Australia pipped them 4-3 in 1996-97. One of the keys for the home side could be World Cup star, allrounder Lance Klusener, who has been back to his best form, starring in two provincial four-day matches after being dropped from South Africa's Test side.

Teams
South Africa (from) Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher (wk), Shaun Pollock (capt), Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Roger Telemachus.

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

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