Ponting predicts few changes for World Cup

Australia's one-day squad will undergo few, if any, changes before the World Cup begins in March, according to the captain Ricky Ponting. He said the 14 players in India for the Champions Trophy would be the basis of the line-up, although injuries and form lapses were unpredictable.

"I think the make-up of our team at the moment is pretty close to what it will be for the World Cup," Ponting told The Courier-Mail. "I don't see there's going to be many, if any, changes to our squad. The squad is looking really good. We've got lots of flexibility, we've got lots of experience and a little bit of youth around, which is obviously important going into world cups. But the World Cup is a long way off yet and lots of things can happen."

Ponting said he was thrilled with the balance of Australia's team in India. The young fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has bowled impressively, taking the key wicket of Virender Sehwag against India, and collecting 3 for 40 against England.

Shane Watson, who posted his second half-century at the top of the order on Sunday, has also settled into his new role as opener alongside Adam Gilchrist. "There's been glimpses in every game Watto's played that he's got everything required to be a good one-day opener," Ponting said, "and his bowling the last eight or ten games has been outstanding." The fast bowler Stuart Clark, who was named in the original Champions Trophy squad but withdrew with a thigh injury, will be one player with a chance to break back into the side over summer.