Essex cricket was handed a massive boost with the omission of their overseas star Stuart Law from Australia's final World Cup squad.

Law was one of four players left out of the Aussies' original 19 - the other three being Test openers Michael Slater and Matthew Elliott plus leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

Essex secretary-manager Peter Edwards described Law's omission as bitter-sweet for the player and the county.

Edwards said on Tuesday: "Stuart will be bitterly disappointed by the news. He had set his heart on playing in the World Cup. He is a very nice man, liked very much by everyone and I feel very sad for him.

"I was speaking with him only yesterday and he pointed out there were one or two players in the squad who he felt he was ahead of.

"From an Essex point of view Stuart's omission is great news for the club. He'll be with us from the start of the season instead of missing a couple of months.

"He certainly won't lay down and sulk about it - knowing him he'll throw himself into it to prove a point and show the Aussies how they're missing out."

The dashing Queensland batsman could yet, however, figure in the World Cup which gets under way in this country in May.

In the event of a serious injury to any player once the tournament has got under way, the competing countries will be allowed a replacement and as Law will already be in the country he would be a prime candidate for the Australians.

Former Essex batsman Mark Waugh is in the squad and, as one of Australia's senior players, will be expected to play a prominent part.

The Aussies sprang a big surprise when calling up Worcestershire veteran Tom Moody in a squad which lacked several Test stars.

Moody last played for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in September but has significant experience of playing conditions in this country.

The full Australian squad is: Steve Waugh (captain), Shane Warne (vice-captain), Bevan, Dale, Flemming, Gilchrist, Julian, Lee, Lehmann, McGrath, Martyn, Moody, Ponting, Reifel, Mark Waugh.

Australia kick-off the Group B programme against Scotland at New Road, Worcester, on Sunday, May 16.

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