CRICKET: Shane Warne is expected to recover quickly from a dislocated right shoulder, but his World Cup fate may be out of his hands.

Team selection rules could keep him out of Australia's defence of their limited overs world crown in South Africa next February.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) believe Warne is likely to be bowling within four to six weeks, but Australia must finalise their 15-man World Cup squad by December 31st.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that the ACB were seeking clarification from the International Cricket Board on whether they could draft in a replacement for Warne if he was named in the original squad but then had to withdraw due to the injury.

If Warne could not be replaced, the ACB must decide whether they are prepared to risk going to South Africa with only 14 men.

Warne, the best leg-spinner in the history of the game, was injured on Sunday playing in Australia's 89-run triangular series victory over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

He attempted to field a drive from Craig White off his own bowling, dived to his right but fell awkwardly on his elbow, jarring the same shoulder on which he had reconstructive surgery four years ago to prolong his career.

Melbourne specialist Greg Hoy performed exploratory surgery and the initial diagnosis was hopeful. Although Warne will miss the remainder of the Ashes series, it was believed he should make the start of the World Cup in late February.

ACB medical officer Trefor James said: "There were no problems uncovered other than ligament and cartilage damage, which is expected with a dislocation.

"We are confident he will get back to bowling in the long term, and in the short term we are looking at a timescale of four to six weeks.

"Without further unexpected damage being found, this is the best case scenario. I am optimistic he will be available for the World Cup."

Even so, any setback in his rehabilitation would rob Warne of the chance to play in one last World Cup before his retirement in the next three or four years.

Opposition is growing to England's participation in World Cup games in Zimbabwe as a number of Labour MPs have now registered their disapproval.

A survey by Radio Five Live of 100 back-benchers revealed 66 percent think England should refuse to play in Zimbabwe, which is co-hosting February's event with South Africa.

Last week the British Foreign Office expressed concerns about the deepening humanitarian crisis under President Robert Mugabe's regime and Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove Zimbabwe as co-hosts.

However, British Sports Minister Richard Caborn has insisted that the ICC, and not politicians, should make the final decision.

A 10-man delegation from the ICC, including chief executive Malcolm Speed, visited Zimbabwe last month to inspect security and an announcement on whether World Cup matches will go ahead in the country will be made later this week.

"The report from the security council delegation that went to Zimbabwe has been circulated to all the member countries and we are collecting their comments," said an ICC spokesman, who declined to comment on the survey.