Tait a fine one-day weapon

Ricky Ponting believes Shaun Tait, who has been included in Australia's one-day squad, is perfectly suited to the limited-overs format. Tait has burst into World Cup contention after being picked for Australia's final two preliminary games, starting with the match England at the SCG on Friday.

"He is very quick and he swings the new ball so he knocks over top-order batsmen, then, when the ball gets old, it starts reversing," Ponting said in his column in The Australian. "The way he bowls his yorkers, he is obviously going to be a very good weapon at the end of the innings as well."

Ponting said if Tait, who has never appeared in an ODI, was selected they would trial him throughout the innings. "We will have a look at him with the new ball, bowling some overs in the middle, and certainly have a look at him finishing off at the end," he said. "He has got the ideal game to do a good job at international level."

Tait would be the seventh fast-bowler Australia have used in the competition if he gets the call and Ponting said it was a great example of the team's depth. "With the quality of the players who have been sitting on the sidelines during this series as we rotate our fast bowlers, you realise how good the team is at the moment," he said. "We've managed to have a good look at and use our fast bowlers really well."

Australia are undefeated in the CB Series and Friday's match against England is likely to be their last head-to-head contest of the tour. England must win both of their remaining games to edge ahead of New Zealand for a spot in the finals.