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SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting says pace bowler Shaun Tait is likely to be handed his one-day international debut for tonight's tri-series game against England in Sydney.
Ponting said with only this game and Sunday's match against New Zealand in Melbourne before the best-of-three finals, the Australian selectors would be anxious to have a good look at Tait before naming their World Cup squad by February 13.
"I would probably imagine that he would play both games," Ponting said of Tait, 23, who was called up to Australia's one-day squad this week.
"It's more than likely, I'd suggest. With only a couple of games left before the finals start and really only a few games left before we have to name our World Cup squad, I think the selectors, by naming him in this squad, would indicate they want to have a bit of a look at him before that World Cup squad is picked."
Tait played two tests on the 2005 Ashes tour of England but has battled shoulder and back injuries since.
Australia have won all six of their matches so far in the tri-series against England and New Zealand.
The Black Caps are also likely to qualify for the best-of-three finals on February 9, 11 and 13.
A sole bonus-point victory over New Zealand in the final match on Tuesday in Brisbane could theoretically get England through, but that would also require some freakishly one-sided results due to England's poor net run rate.
- AAP
