Doherty ready to stake World Cup claim

Unlike some teammates on tour, who are looking at the shorter format to force their way into the Test team for the Ashes this summer, Doherty has his sights set further in the distance and firmly on a bigger prize.

The 30-year-old has been in and out of both the Test and one-day team this year, dropped entirely from Australia's 50-over squad against England after the Ashes.

QUICK SINGLE: Bailey: IPL experience important

But he sees the dusty wickets on offer in India as the ideal opportunity to end the constant rotation of Australian spinners and cement his spot in the coloured clothes.

"Conditions are going to be in my favour and there's going to be that extra responsibility to really step up and lead in those conditions when the quicks probably aren't going to have the pitches in their favour," Doherty said.

And with the World Cup, to be held in Australia and New Zealand from February 2015, just 15 months away Doherty feels the time is ideal to mark his mark.

"From my point of view this series is about nailing down this one day spot," he said.

"I feel like I've been around this group for a few years now and it was disappointing to miss out on that English trip but I guess being this close to a World Cup, such a big tournament, they're sort of looking at the options around.

"Personally it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to play in such a big tournament on home soil."

The World Cup looms especially large for the Tasmanian tweaker as Doherty, who has just seven wickets in four Tests at an average of 78, doesn't see international red-ball cricket in his immediate future.

Despite playing as recently as Australia's disastrous 4-0 series defeat to India in March this year, he believes that spot belongs to the perpetually under-pressure Nathan Lyon.

But part of that thinking is because nobody is forcing the hand of the selectors.

"As far as the Test team goes Lyno has bowled pretty well in the chances he's had in India and in England," Doherty said.

"At the end of the day it's on us. If we bowl we're picking ourselves.

"It's not about selectors trying people and rotating.

"If we bowl well, we stay in the team. That's where that one sits."

QUICK SINGLE: VB Tour of India schedule

Australia's tour starts with a Twenty20 clash with India in Rajkot on Friday.

The first of seven one-day matches will be played on Sunday in Pune.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cricket Australia.