Mark Waugh 'too old' for Australia

Mark Waugh was dropped from Australia's one–day cricket squad yesterday, marking the first time in 16 years that neither he nor twin brother Steve will be part of an Australian one–day team.

Captain Steve Waugh's axing from the one–day side was announced last month.

Nathan Hauritz and Shane Watson, both 20, were called into the expanded 15–man squad that includes Queensland batsmen Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher, who were both recalled.

The squad, under new captain Ricky Ponting and vice–captain Adam Gilchrist, will play seven limited–overs internationals against South Africa in South Africa and three against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe later this month through to April.

The selection marked a shift toward youth ahead of the World Cup defense in South Africa next year. Mark Waugh, 36, is the fourth–highest scorer in one–day internationals with 8,500 runs at an average of 39.35 in 242 matches, including 18 centuries.

Selectors chairman Trevor Hohns paid tribute to Waugh, but said it was time for a change. "Mark has been an outstanding player for Australia at the one–day level, one of our finest, which made the decision to leave him out of this squad a difficult one.

"However, given the enviable depth of talented cricketers around the country, we feel that the time is now right to introduce the next generation of players into the side."

Watson hit a century on debut for Australia in a tour match against South Africa A on Sunday. Queensland off–spinner Hauritz was one of Australia's most accomplished junior players in the leadup to his domestic debut last season.

Opener Hayden returned to the squad after being dumped midway through the recent tri–series in Australia that included New Zealand and South Africa.

Fellow Queensland batsman Maher, 28, is back in the one–day squad for the first time since 1997–98 after dominating this season's domestic first–class competitions.

The Waughs, Justin Langer and Stuart MacGill are the members of the touring party in South Africa who will return to Australia at the end of the three–test series which Australia leads 1–0.

The Australian one–day squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice–captain), Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Shane Watson, Damien Martyn, Jimmy Maher, Ian Harvey, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Hauritz.