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For Steve Waugh, the heart rules the head

In a heart-warming gesture, Australia's ODI skipper Steve Waugh has opted out of the upcoming Super Eights tournament in Kuala Lumpur, preferring instead to honour a prior commitment to an Indian charity.

During his visit here with the Indian team early this year, Waugh had visited Udayan, a home for leprosy-struck children in Calcutta.

Invited to become its patron, he promptly acceeded to the request, and during the team's stay in Calcutta, spent a considerable part of his stay at the home.

At the time, he also committed to be present at fund-raising programmes at the Calcutta home -- and when he found that the dates of those programmes clashed with the Super Eights, Waugh opted out of the cricket tournament, which is slated to be held between July 17-19 at Kuala Lumpur.

Australia are the holders, having won the tournament the last two years.

Interestingly, the Australian selectors have picked Adam Gilchrist, who is yet to play in a Test, as his replacement skipper. Ricky Ponting will be the vice captain of the squad.

Gilchrist indicated that the tournament would serve as a tuneup for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, which are also slated to be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Other than Australia, the teams in the fray are India, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Australian squad, as announced, is: Adam Gilchrist (wicket keeper and captain), Ricky Ponting (vice captain), Greg Blewett, Michael Di Venuto, Damien Fleming, Brendon Julian, Damien Martyn, Gavin Robertson, Andrew Symonds.