Australia's World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh finally conceded on Thursday that his chances of helping defend the trophy at next year's tournament in southern Africa are "pretty low".

The 37-year-old played one of the great World Cup innings, an unbeaten 120 from 110 deliveries, en route to the final where Australia beat Pakistan to be crowned world champions for a second time.

But after 325 appearances, the last of which helped Australia clinch the 2002 VB Series with a win over South Africa, Waugh was dropped from the one-day side and Ricky Ponting installed as captain.

It was the first major step taken by the Australian selectors to reshape the side for next year's World Cup.

Waugh pledged to fight for his place but is available for only a handful of NSW one-day games before Ponting's squad jets off to South Africa, leaving little time to convince the selectors.

And though he would relish the chance of appearing in a fifth World Cup, Waugh today pointed to the strength of the current one-day squad and admitted his one-day international career was probably at an end.

"Realistically there won't be too many changes for that squad to South Africa, but I want to put myself in with a chance and if they need me I'm available," he said.

"If it happens it happens. I don't think you could put a percentage on it, but it would be 50 per cent and probably a lot lower than that at this stage.

"I think its a pretty low chance, but there is a chance."

Waugh linked up with his Blues team-mates for training at the SCG today ahead of a rare state appearance in the ING Cup against South Australia on Saturday.

Thoughts of forcing his way back into national selection are not playing on his mind and, at 37, he is anxious just to enjoy his cricket - and if that leads to an international recall then all the better.

"It's a starting point," he said. "I just want to enjoy my cricket and that's my main objective. Against South Australia, if I do that I'll play good cricket and whatever leads on from there is really up to the selectors.

"It's not probably a matter of proving them wrong it's more a matter of getting myself into contention and if there needs to be a change then I'm available."

© 2002 AAP

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