Waugh flays two-team policy critics

8220;I8217;d like to give it 12 months and have a look then, I think we8217;re jumping in a bit too early and making rash decisions and harsh judgments without giving it a fair go,8221; Waugh said.

He said the recent three-nation series in India and Sharjah had transformed his improving limited-over team.

Upon the team8217;s return here today, Waugh said, 8220;I think we8217;re going to be a strong side. We8217;re going to be hard to beat in the 1999 World Cup,8221; he added.

The touring Australians had to cram 10 one-day matches into 24 days. They beatIndia in the final of the Indian tournament which also involved Zimbabwe, only for India to reverse that result in the Sharjah tournament where New Zealand were the third team.

Australia selector and former Test captain Allan Border said the captaincy debate needed to be settled as a priority.

8220;The issue of two captains needs to be addressed,8221; Border told reporters today. 8220;The selection policy splitting the two teams is here to stay 8211; it is the right way to go.8221;

Border8217;s comments suggests Taylor, who no longer commands selection at one-day level, may lose the leadership of the Test side if Australia opt to unify captaincy duties.

Waugh said current selection policy has greater effect on Taylor than himself. 8220;It is more difficult for Mark Taylor because he is not in both sides,8221; Waugh said. When Taylor lost the one-day captaincy, he was also dropped as opener.

8220;I play for Australia in both forms of cricket so the current policy does not affect me as much,8221; Waugh said.

Taylor flew homefrom India last month with several other players including wicketkeeper Ian Healy, after Australia8217;s 2-1 defeat in a three-Test series against their hosts.