Australia have quick plans for World Cup

Australia are set to take five fast bowlers to the World Cup in the West Indies as they plan to use four speedsters in most games. The tactic worked in India when the side won its first Champions Trophy and Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, is keen to try it again as Glenn McGrath's career winds down.

"At the ICC tournament we ended up playing four fast bowlers in most games and we really like the format and Ricky Ponting was comfortable with it," Hilditch said in The Australian. "It depends on conditions, but if you assume there is a chance of picking four fast bowlers then we will take five to help us with flexibility and injuries."

Hilditch said the team for the tri-series involving England and New Zealand was not in an "experimental stage" and was close to the 'final preparation stage". He said McGrath was definitely in the plans for the Caribbean.

"I don't suppose I would say anyone is an automatic World Cup selection but the reality is we are really happy with the way Glenn is going," Hilditch said. "We have picked him in the one-day series with a view to him going to the World Cup." Australia have chosen McGrath, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark in the one-day squad for the tri-series starting on Friday.

Another player using the one-day contest as a platform for the World Cup defence is Matthew Hayden, who has benefited from Shane Watson's long-term hamstring injury. However, Hilditch is still confident Watson can bat anywhere in the top seven.

"I'm obviously hopeful Matthew Hayden absolutely nails the opportunity at the top of the order over this series and cements his spot," Hilditch said. "We'll still look then at having Shane in the top seven. He can bat anywhere in the top seven, there's no doubt about it.

"It just happened to be, particularly with Damien Martyn still there, that the opportunity was more at the top of the order than in the middle order. That's changed a bit so it does give us the flexibility for Matthew to take a stance and grab that opening spot."