James' Cup hopes hang in balance

Seasoned allrounder James Hopes fears his World Cup dream is in grave danger after receiving a surprise scare by the national selectors at the last hurdle.

His omission from Australia's 15-man one-day squad to play Sri Lanka has disheartened a stunned Hopes and sparked an angry response from his Queensland coach Trevor Barsby.

Barsby on Wednesday attacked the selection panel for their treatment of the 32-year-old. 

"I was told they had gone with just the two all-rounders in Shane Watson and Steve Smith and they didn't see a need for this series to carry a third," he told AAP.

Hopes is likely to be included in a 30-man preliminary squad next month but Australia don't play any more 50-over cricket before their final 15-man World Cup squad is announced by January 19.

His 75 one-day appearances since the 2007 World Cup exceed the combined total of Lee (36), Ferguson (25) and Warner (7) in the same period.

In 84 ODIs, he has scored 1326 runs at an average of 25, with an impressive strike-rate of 93, batting largely at No.7 or 8.

With the ball, the medium-pacer took 67 wickets at 35.58 with an economy rate of 4.53 per over, often bowling at or near the death.

"I would be disgusted if, after having done everything that has been asked of him in the Australian side - whether that be opening the batting, opening the bowling, closing out the innings at No.6 or 7 or bowling at the death - that they would even think of discarding him like this," he said.

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