Tait poised to make Australia one-day debut

SYDNEY, Feb 1 (Reuters) Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait is set to be handed his one-day international debut in Friday's Tri-Series match against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said today that the 23-year-old paceman was likely to get his chance to impress the selectors before the World Cup which starts next month.

''It's more than likely,'' Ponting told reporters.

''With only a couple of games left before the finals start and really only a few games left before we have to name our World Cup squad, I think the selectors would indicate they want to have a bit of a look at him before that World Cup squad is picked.'' Tait has struggled with injury problems since playing two test matches in the 2005 Ashes series in England.

Australia have already booked their place in the best-of-three Tri-Series finals, where they are likely to play New Zealand unless England win their final two games by huge margins.

REUTERS PM MIR RAI1052