Can Aussies hold it together until 2007?

By Scott Heinrich

Darren Lehmann's recent exclusion from Australia's one-day squad shows how ruthless their selectors can be.

Lehmann, like the Waugh brothers, Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel before him, was pensioned off despite the team's winning form.

So how many of the players currently on tour in New Zealand will survive until the 2007 World Cup - and who are the youngsters snapping at their heels?

ALMOST CERTAIN

Ricky Ponting Although Ponting has not scored a one-day century for Australia since November 2003, he still makes important contributions like Thursday's 98 not out off 55 balls in the Twenty20 game against the Kiwis. He will be only 32 in 2007, and as the team's increasingly at-ease captain there appears no foreseeable reason why he would not still be leading the team.

Adam Gilchrist Australia's vice-captain and top-order dynamo, Gilchrist would be an automatic selection unless his form plunged to unrecognisable depths in the next 24 months. The wicket-keeper will be 36 come 2007, but he shows no signs of slowing down and is simply too important to Australia for them to contemplate a World Cup without him.

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Michael Clarke The rising star of Australian cricket, Clarke has met, and exceeded, every expectation so far. Australia's reigning player of the year, Clarke will be 26 when he plays his first World Cup and is destined for a big part with both bat and ball.

Damien Martyn A classic late-bloomer, Martyn has overcome difficulties to grow into his role as a senior player. He underlined his worth as a one-day batsman with an unbeaten 88 in the last Cup final, and won't be over the hill at 35 in 2007.

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Brett Lee

Although on the fringes of the Test side these days, Lee remains an important one-day player capable of running through teams with sheer pace.

Australia's leading wicket-taker in the 2003 World Cup, Lee will not be over-bowled before the Caribbean tournament and will be only 30 years old.

COULD GO EITHER WAY

Jason Gillespie Gillespie has probably never been fitter, but his absentee record suggests it is not wise to look two months ahead let alone two years. His physical well-being looms as the only hurdle standing in the way of one of the game's finest seam bowlers.

Glenn McGrath Like Gillespie, McGrath must hope old bones hold together in time for another World Cup campaign. Will be a certified greybeard at 37 in two years, but, like Gillespie, will definitely be there if fit and firing on most cylinders.

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Simon Katich Katich has age and ability on his side, but it is still hard to tell where he stands with selectors. The left-hander has not exactly grabbed his limited chances with open arms, and will need to do more if he is to break into the team.

Matthew Hayden It would have been unthinkable just a few months ago, but Hayden has something to prove if he is to keep his place at the top of the order for the next two years. The left-hander will want to start his renaissance in New Zealand, a tour he won selection for despite being in a pronounced form slump.

PLACE IN JEOPARDY

Brad Hogg Hogg provides Australia with a much-needed spin option in the absence of Shane Warne, but his place looks highly vulnerable to any improving young turner in the land. The left-armer will need to step up on his moderate international record to stay in selectors' thoughts, and at 34 that seems unlikely.

Andrew Symonds Considered lucky to win selection for the last World Cup, only to be one of Australia's best players, Symonds might not be so fortunate in 2007. Symonds has admitted considering a switch to rugby league, so it is anybody's guess what he will be doing in two years' time.

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Michael Kasprowicz An admirable servant, Kasprowicz has never been a regular member of the team, as evidenced by his record of 33 one-day matches in 10 years. His career has enjoyed an upturn in the last 12 months, but can the 33-year-old's indian summer continue until 2007?

Mike Hussey Hussey, a heavy scorer on the first-class scene, has been consistently overlooked by Australia. He has been called up for the tour of New Zealand, but two years is a long time for a 29-year-old batsman with only one cap to his name.

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James Hopes

A surprise call-up to tour New Zealand, all-rounder Hopes will be looked at in Shane Watson's absence.

His aggressive style clearly impressed the selectors but it remains to be seen whether he can establish a long-term place.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Shane Watson Ushered into the Test team recently and seen as Australia's premier one-day all-rounder, Watson is in the selectors' good books. Should be at his peak at 26 when the World Cup comes around, but will want to improve on a batting average of 31 and a bowling average of 45.6 to stay in their favour.

Shaun Tait Much is expected of fast bowler Tait, whose rise through the ranks in first-class cricket has been meteoric. If he continues his development over the next two years, the 21-year-old will be very much in contention.

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Cameron White The captain of Victoria, leg-spinning all-rounder White has long been touted as a future international cricketer. He has been cutting his teeth in Australia A games, and with further experience under his belt could well become Australia's first-choice spinner.

David Hussey How long can Australia pass over Hussey, who crucially has two years on his older brother Mike? A heavy-scorer in first-class cricket, Hussey will not stop reminding selectors of his worth over the next two years.

AND FINALLY ...

Shane Warne

Warne hasn't played one-day cricket since January 2003, but this headline-grabber always has the capacity to surprise.

Wouldn't it be just like the 35-year-old to step out of retirement for one last World Cup campaign?

If he maintains his Test form over the next two years, it would not be out of the question.