Hayden dropped from Aussie ODI squad

Opener Matthew Hayden has been dropped from the Australian one-day cricket team as selectors backed away from the team's much criticised player rotation policy on Monday.

The squad was reduced to 13 players for its remaining triangular series matches with selectors' chairman Trevor Hohns saying Australia would return to "normal cricket with our normal opening pair" of Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh.

Hohns said once the decision had been made to cut the squad from 14 to 13, Hayden - who was Australia's player of the series in the Tests against South Africa - was the unlucky player.

"Matthew Hayden had a couple of opportunities but didn't quite take them and has been cut from the squad," said Hohns.

"There would still be room to rotate some of the fast bowlers, who occasionally need a rest," Hohns said. But for the rest of the limited-overs series Australia would pick their best batting line-up.

Mail Cricket Editor