Waugh has one eye on 2003 World Cup

Steve Waugh will approach the triangular limited overs series in Australia with one eye on winning the tournament and another on next year's World Cup in South Africa, the Australia captain said on Thursday.

"We've been trying things for the World Cup for the past 18 months and we won't change," said Waugh.

"We have an eye to winning the series, that's obviously our priority.

"But that doesn't mean you can't look ahead as well. We'd be stupid not to look towards the World Cup. It's only 12 months away.

"You've got to try some things now. There's no good trying them in the practice matches before the World Cup. But at the same time we still expect to win (the triangular series)."

Australia and New Zealand open the series with a day-night match at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday ahead of Sunday's day-night game between Australia and South Africa at the same venue.

Waugh said New Zealand, who drew their three-test series in Australia 0-0 in November and December, were under pressure to perform in the triangular limited overs series and could no longer claim to be the underdogs.

"They're a good one-day side. Let's see how they go with the expectations of New Zealand on winning the series," Waugh said.

"They've got a bit of pressure on them this time."

Waugh, 36, who averaged just 19.50 in the New Zealand test series and 35.25 in Australia's 3-0 series win over South Africa, said the host country's rotational policy in limited overs matches would possibly include the captain.

"Everyone will get opportunities. It keeps us on edge and it means when we get to the World Cup and we haven't got just 11 players, we've got 14 or 16 players who can step in a fill a role," said Waugh, who captained Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup final against Pakistan at Lord's.

"Winning this (triangular) series is really important for us. It's no less (important) than playing test match cricket."

Waugh welcomed the Australian Cricket Board's announcement that teams would receive a bonus point for a net run-rate 1.15 times higher than their opponents.

"The incentive is there to win and to win quickly. That's the way we try and play our cricket anyway," Waugh said.

"In a three-way series that bonus point may become vital in the lead-up to the finals."

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Mail Cricket Editor