Essex are waiting with bated breath to see if their overseas star Stuart Law will be selected in Australia's final World Cup squad.

The dashing Queensland run machine and useful medium pace bowler was named in the Aussie's original party of 19 earlier this week and Essex are now holding their breath for March 24 when all the World Cup squads are cut to a final 15.

If Law makes it, Australia's gain will be Essex's loss for should they go all the way to the final, as expected, the player would not be available to play for the county until late June - two-and-a-half months of the English season will already be gone by then.

Essex secretary-manager Peter Edwards said: "Stuart is fully fit again following his shoulder operation last season and I think he stands a good chance of being included in Australia's squad."

"They're going to want all the strength in depth they can get and we all know how devastating he can be with the bat.

"He's no slouch with the ball either. I actually saw him open the bowling when I was in Australia during the winter."

Another big factor in Law's favour is his wealth of experience playing in English conditions. But there could be a welcome ray of hope for Essex.

Australia might just release Law to play for the county in the knowledge he will be on the spot in this country to step into their side in the event of a serious injury to a squad member.

That same loophole could also open up an avenue for Essex captian Nasser Hussain to make a late entry into the England squad if Graham Thorpe's back injury crops up again.

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