World champions Australia have declined an invitation to play in a one-day tournament in Sharjah starting in late March, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Wednesday.

The three-week competition follows Australia's Test and one-day tour of Sri Lanka which starts next month.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said Australia would focus on September's ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament in England.

"Our international playing plans for 2004 are better suited planning a warm-up series after the scheduled player leave period in July-August to fine-tune our form and fitness before September's ICC Champions Trophy and the subsequent Test series in India," Sutherland said in a statement.

"Planning for a tri-nations series involving Australia, India and Pakistan prior to the Champions Trophy is still to be finalised but is far enough advanced to make this decision."