Australia coach Mickey Arthur reacted with irritation when repeatedly questioned about veteran batsman Michael Hussey's absence fro the ODI side facing Sri Lanka, saying he was looking ahead to the 2015 World Cup.

Australia trail Sri Lanka 2-1 in the series as were all out for 74 in the most recent match. The batting order is distinctly inexperienced and fragile, and while Hussey has retired from Tests, he is available for ODI cricket.

When asked why Hussey was not playing, Arthur said that they needed to blood the younger players before the next World Cup, and that relying on a player who wouldn't be a round then defeated the purpose.

The coach insisted: "Of course Mike Hussey's got all the skills. Mike Hussey's still one of our best one-day players, still an unbelievable cricketer.

"Yes, you miss those skills. I think you've got to understand though that Mike Hussey has retired. Mike Hussey has retired from international cricket, albeit that he was still available for these one-dayers.

"We looked at it and thought that it was an opportunity to get another 10 one-dayers into somebody else and, with where we want to take the team and with what we want to do in the next year, with the Champions Trophy just around the corner.

"People say that the 2015 World Cup's a long way away. It gets on to you very quickly. We've only got 14 ODIs I think next year, which leaves us with 14 ODIs plus a triangular series before the World Cup.

"We need to find out about some other players and see if any of them have what it takes to take Mike's massive mantle."

Meanwhile, the Aussies have added fast bowler Jackson Bird to the squad as cover in case anyone gets injured.