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The world will follow our lead: Waugh

Australia's one-day skipper Steve Waugh says sooner or later all Test playing countries will follow the lead Australia and England have given of selecting different teams for different forms of the game.

Early this year Waugh was appointed to lead Australia in the triangular contest involving New Zealand and South Africa. After losing most of the games to South Africa, Australia emerged victorious in the final. During the celebrations, Test captain Mark Taylor, who led the team to a series win against South Africa, watched it all on television.

While returning home a few days ago after losing the Test series to India 2-1, Taylor criticised the line of selection and asked for a dialogue with the Australian Cricket Board in that connection.

"Taylor will have to adapt to the new life in cricket," Waugh said. "Just as I am prepared to play under him in Tests."

Waugh said the one-day game has opened a lot more avenues in the basics. "What you can't do in Tests comes out a winner in one day internationals. So one has to look out for players and a captain who are willing to head that way," he said, probably keeping in mind Taylor's poor batting form and his limited utility in the outfield.

"I am not at all indicating that some players should not be there or should be in, but if the goal is to achieve victory with the best suited players and method then no one should come in the way," Waugh, one of the world's finest allrounders, argued.

UNI