Matthew Hayden dumped by selectors after lean summer
By staff writers
January 08, 2009
STRUGGLING Australia opener Matthew Hayden has been dumped from the one-day and Twenty20 squads after a lean summer in the Test arena.
Hayden was not named in either 13-man squad announced by selectors on Thursday morning.
While skipper Ricky Ponting has backed Hayden to continue at the head of the order in the future, his axing from the shortened format of the game points to an uncertain future at best.
Form suggests the SCG Test against South Africa should be the brutal left-hander's last.
He has made just two half-centuries in his past nine Tests since returning to the side following a long lay-off with an Achilles tendon strain.
He has had a dreadful summer, averaging just 11 in two Tests against New Zealand and 19.5 in three against South Africa and a top score of 39.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hayden's sacking wasn't a result of poor form, but rather a "strategic decision".
"The omission of Matthew Hayden ... is not a reflection on his performances in the recent Test series but rather a strategic decision made by the national aelection panel as we plan for these signature events," he said.
"His possible selection for the upcoming tour of South Africa will be discussed as with all players when we select a squad after the round of interstate matches at the beginning of February."
Test hero Mitchell Johnson will be rested from the Twenty20 matches and the first two one-day games after his heavy workload.
Michael Clarke is also unavailable for the Twenty20 clashes after sustaining ligament damage to his right thumb during the first Test against South Africa in Perth.
Injury-prone South Australia speedster Shaun Tait was included in both, as were Tasmania quick Ben Hilfenhaus and spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Exciting New South Wales blaster David Warner was named in the Twenty20 line-up, alongside Queensland paceman Ryan Harris.
Hilditch welcomed Tait back into the fold.
"Although he (Tait) has had some injury problems since playing a leading role in the 2007 ICC World Cup, he is an explosive weapon at his best and we hope he will play a key role in both forms of the game this summer," Hilditch said.
Australia play South Africa at the MCG in a Twenty20 contest on Sunday.
The five-match one-day series against South Africa starts on Friday week at the MCG.
