Trialing of split format for limited overs cricket will hurt Oz WC preparations: Hussey

Sydney, July 20 (ANI): The rush to trial the new split format for limited overs cricket this domestic summer will hamper Australia's run to the World Cup, feels middle-order batsman Michael Hussey and some others.

"We have to make sure we try and get as many players prepared for the World Cup in the subcontinent as we can," Hussey said after being briefed on the new format by CA top brass James Sutherland and Michael Brown.

"I am not sure the timing is great, to be trialling stuff when we have to be encouraging spinners and blokes batting against spin bowling in 50-over cricket because we are going to get a lot of that at the 50-over World Cup," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hussey, as saying further.

But he also acknowledged that there were lots of young players like New South Wales slam bang opener David Warner who see themselves as having a chance of making the World Cup squad.

Warner genuinely believes he can break into the squad for the World Cup in 2011.

"I had a good IPL, a good Champions League as well, and I know the grounds pretty well, and I know how to play there and it's up to our selectors if they want to be taking a risk and putting me into the side," Warner told ESPN Cricinfo.

"I'm putting my hand up because I really want to be there and play under Punter (Ricky Ponting). If I can keep scoring runs for NSW in the first couple of games, then my hopes are pretty high," he added.

Unfortunately for Warner, those "first couple of games" will be played under the experimental split innings format Cricket Australia seems intent on testing.

More vexing still is the high probability that Warner will be used by NSW as their "super striker", batting twice when everyone else only gets one hit - aeons away from World Cup playing conditions.

According to those at Cricket Australia responsible for scheduling clumps of matches with new rules either side of one 50-over bracket in mid-season when Australian one day players are more likely to be available, Cup plans will not be hindered.

This may be so - if the Australian one-day squad that just lost a series to England will be unchanged for the 2011 tournament.

Yet it is clear that the efforts of other players to press for spots in the team will be significantly affected. (ANI)