Sydney: The Australian team is in a rebuilding phase while skipper Ricky Ponting is reassessing his future priorities as the one-time kingpins prepare for the defence of the Champions Trophy.
Shaken by the recent loss of the Ashes to England and the subsequent recriminations, the Australians are typically fighting back, stretching to a 5-0 lead over England in the on-going ODI series.
Since the 2007 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean, the Aussies have dropped home series against India and South Africa and lost two ODIs in a five-match series against Pakistan in Dubai/Abu Dhabi last May.
The Australians are developing a new one-day team for the 2011 World Cup and a new generation of stars are in the making, learning hard lessons along the way.
"The team is in a rebuilding phase and we look forward to seeing how this squad goes in South Africa as we prepare for the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent."
Ponting, who became the first Australian skipper in 100 years to lose two consecutive Ashes Test series in England, took some time off during the ongoing seven-match ODI series in England to escape the pressures.
He obviously has an eye on Australia's demanding playing schedule beyond the Champions' Trophy, including a one-day series against India in October as well as six home Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan.
Ponting has already announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket in a bid to prolong his Test career.
Ponting has become the team elder in a younger group following the retirements of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.
He now relies on vice-captain Michael Clarke and senior batsman Mike Hussey for the experience that is largely missing from the current set-up.
Australia's Trophy chances also took a blow with the loss of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin following finger surgery.
The big-hitting Haddin broke the ring finger of his left hand prior to the third Edgbaston Ashes Test and has been replaced in the Trophy squad by Tasmanian Tim Paine.
The Australians will be also relying on the batting of emerging star Callum Ferguson and allrounder Shane Watson and the bowling of Ashes troupe, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz, complemented by senior seamers Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.
S# | Player | DOB | Matches | Batting | Bowling |
14 |
Ricky Ponting (c)
|
19 December 1974
|
315
|
Right
|
Right arm medium pace
|
59 |
Nathan Bracken
|
12 September 1977
|
110
|
Right
|
Left arm medium-fast
|
23 |
Michael Clarke
|
2 April 1981
|
156
|
Right
|
Slow left-arm orthodox
|
12 |
Callum Ferguson
|
21 November 1984
|
14
|
Right
|
Right arm medium pace
|
43 |
Nathan Hauritz
|
18 October 1981
|
19
|
Right
|
Right arm off break
|
N/A |
Ben Hilfenhaus
|
15 March 1983
|
12
|
Right
|
Right arm fast-medium
|
39 |
James Hopes
|
24 October 1978
|
56
|
Right
|
Right arm medium-fast
|
48 |
Michael Hussey
|
27 May 1975
|
108
|
Left
|
Right arm medium pace
|
25 |
Mitchell Johnson
|
2 November 1981
|
55
|
Left
|
Left arm fast
|
58 |
Brett Lee
|
8 November 1976
|
173
|
Right
|
Right arm fast
|
36 |
Tim Paine
|
8 December 1984
|
2
|
Right
|
wicket-keeper
|
N/A |
Peter Siddle
|
25 November 1984
|
1
|
Right
|
Right arm fast-medium
|
24 |
Adam Voges
|
4 October 1979
|
2
|
Right
|
Slow left arm chinamen
|
33 |
Shane Watson
|
17 June 1981
|
77
|
Right
|
Right arm fast-medium
|
7 |
Cameron White
|
18 August 1983
|
28
|
Right
|
Right arm leg break
|