Nathan Hauritz can put his feet up.

He won't be playing much cricket at the World Cup, probably none at all, leaving him free to work on the wrong-un he needs to perfect if he's ever going to be as good as Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh and Co.

Warne's 21-year-old replacement was overlooked for Thursday's match against Namibia and, with Australia certain to name its best possible side for the rest of the tournament, Hauritz will be selected only if left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg sustains an injury.

That seems unlikely. Hogg is indestructible right now.

Offspinner Hauritz thought he was some chance of being named against Namibia at the beginning of a press conference held at North West Stadium today.

"It would be great to play," he said hopefully.

Adam Gilchrist was then asked about Australia's starting XI.

"I can actually confirm one thing - Nathan Hauritz won't be playing," said the Australian vice-captain, laughing,

"Bad luck, mate.

"For our game (on Thursday) we've got the same team as we had against Zimbabwe."

Hauritz turned white, then pink, then chuckled nervously.

The young Queensland tweaker had the world at his feet last year when he became Warne's understudy, touring South Africa, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. He didn't fully grab his limited opportunities, though, allowing Hogg to jump past him into the one-day and Test squads.

Hauritz was No.2 behind Warne for a long time and now he's No.2 behind Hogg.

He doesn't seem to mind. Time is on his side.

"It doesn't really faze me that much - I'm only 21," he said.

"At the same time I'd love to be the No.1 spinner but you've got to take the good with the bad."

Asked about replacing Warne, Hauritz replied: "It's been a pretty weird couple of days. It's hard because you look up to the man but at the same time I can't really control what's gone on around me."

Sri Lanka's Muralitharan, India's Singh and Pakistan's Saqlain have revolutionised offspin bowling by developing undetectable balls that turn from the leg side to off, almost a physical impossibility to deliver.

Hauritz admits he's a long way from being able to bowl it.

"I have tried, yes, but it doesn't go very well," he said.

"It will take a lot of work, a good off-season or two to do it.

"It is a ball that obviously helps the offspinner a great deal."

Hauritz has played five matches for Australia, taking seven wickets at a respectable average of 26.42. He's scored 13 runs without being dismissed, leaving him without an average.

Now he's been left without much to do.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP