Clarke wants early World Cup squad

Australia's selectors have the next five games against South Africa to settle on their chosen 15 for the World Cup - if the captain Michael Clarke has anything to do with it.

Clarke stated ahead of the first ODI at the WACA Ground that he wanted the squad for January's triangular series with England and India to be identical to the group he would take to the Cup proper, in order to promote a settled and familiar environment at the tournament.

The selection chairman, Rod Marsh, the coach Darren Lehmann and their panel chose a team only for the first two ODIs in Perth, in keeping with a habit of short-term limited-overs selections in home series, typically for two or three matches at a time. But Clarke's request for a consistent squad across the Cup and the triangular series means final decisions on selection may need to be made sooner rather than later.

"We've probably got this series to give guys an opportunity if the selectors are still not certain on their 15," Clarke said in Perth. "But I've voiced my opinion to Rod and to Darren in regards to [this]. I'd love the squad that's selected for the triangular series to be our one-day World Cup squad of 15, so we can spend that time together in preparation for the World Cup.

"The fact we've only picked a team for two games here and the selectors get together and pick another team for maybe two or three games, they're still probably looking at a couple of positions, but it's always tough because there's still so much cricket to play leading into the World Cup. They've picked what they feel is the best squad to help us have success in Perth in these conditions, and I'm pretty sure we'll reassess for the next three games."

One complication for the remainder of the series is that the round of Sheffield Shield matches due to begin on Sunday will rule out the likes of Nathan Lyon, Cameron White and Ryan Harris from playing in Wednesday's third ODI in Canberra, leaving only the Friday and Sunday matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Clarke has not been a selector since the day Lehmann was installed as coach ahead of the Ashes in June last year, and has disagreed with the panel more than once - notably the omission of Steven Smith in Zimbabwe and, more recently, the dropping of Alex Doolan for the second Pakistan Test in Abu Dhabi. However, he said the lines of communication were well and truly open.

"Obviously I'm not communicating anywhere near as much as when I was a selector and had to see all the emails and have the conversations over the phone and turn up to the meetings," Clarke said. "It's freed me up a lot to commit my time to the team, but in regards to my communication with the selectors it's no different, I can pick up the phone anytime, they can pick up the phone anytime and speak to me.

"It's very clear. I respect the fact they allow me to give my opinion and I hope they respect the fact I take the time to give them my thoughts as well."

Smith has again found himself on the fringe of Australia's squad, this time following the recall of Shane Watson to bat at No. 3. Having missed the tours of Zimbabwe and the UAE due to minor injury complaints, Watson is refreshed technically and mentally for this summer. Clarke acknowledged that his former deputy's experience had been missed at times on those tours.

"It's great that Watto's back on the field," Clarke said. "I've said for a long time that if he's batting and bowling he's in any team. So if he can stay fit and healthy that helps us a lot in all formats of the game. He's a senior player and his leadership and experience is really important.

"More for Watto's sake he just wants to play some consistent cricket now, a little bit like myself after having a few injuries, if you can get a roll on and get some momentum and actually know you're playing back-to-back games of cricket, that's generally a good sign."

As for the running battle with Dale Steyn, which began in Cape Town, was perpetuated by the South African's wounded words in Zimbabwe and has now been revived by numerous reports entering into this series, Clarke had little left to say. "I think it's sold enough papers of the last couple of weeks," he said. "That's enough, we can now focus on what's most important, playing cricket.

"The brand of cricket we play is the same no matter who we play against, so we've said for a long time we have to be at our best to beat these fantastic teams. Conditions in Perth are certainly going to be conducive to fast bowling but you certainly have to execute as well. It's no good bowling fast if you don't put it in the right areas, so that's one thing we're focused on."