Matthew Hayden may pull out of the one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin, beginning this month, to protect himself for the long summer ahead.The veteran opener was named in a 14-man squad for the three-match tournament but is still recovering from an achilles tendon strain which forced him home from the West Indies in May.
As expected, Ricky Ponting was overlooked because of wrist surgery which also had him sent home from the Caribbean during the one-day series in June.
Regular vice-captain Michael Clarke will lead the side with Mike Hussey his deputy. The selectors named an almost identical squad to the one which pulled off a five-nil clean sweep against the West Indies last month.
"I'm feeling pretty good but if you'd asked me this time last week I would have said I was no chance," Hayden said yesterday.
"I saw my local physio this morning and he said it was a completely different tendon to the one he treated last week. He was really worried.
"It's a race against the clock. Given its rapid improvement from last week I'm certainly a chance but I can't give a definite answer whether I'm in or out.
"I've got to be careful I don't take any risks over the next month or so given what we have ahead of us. I'll certainly be conservative with it"
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hayden has been selected subject to fitness.
"His progress has been monitored closely by our physiotherapist and doctor and his overall participation in the series will be determined as we get closer to the date," Hilditch said. "The panel has reserved the right to add a 15th player into this squad should this become necessary."
Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris confirmed Ponting had not recovered from recent surgery.
"He is making good progress and is on track to be available for upcoming cricket," he said.
The one-day series against Bangladesh was to be a lead-up to next month's Champions Trophy, although that is now in extreme doubt given the volatile situation in Pakistan.
A four-Test tour of India immediately follows in October and early November, with Test and one-day series at home against New Zealand and South Africa before a tour of South Africa next February and March.
The World Twenty20 and a full Ashes tour begin in England from June next year.
"The series against Bangladesh is ideal preparation for us with a busy schedule of international cricket over the next 12-18 months," Hilditch said. "The squad is an exciting mix of our senior players and our young emerging talent which performed so well in the West Indies."
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has recovered from a badly broken finger which is bad news for Luke Ronchi. Ronchi replaced Haddin in the West Indies and was elevated to first drop for the last game where he scored 64 from 28 deliveries.
If Hayden does not play it will give Shaun Marsh the chance to continue his rapid rise as an opening partner to all-rounder Shane Watson, who appears the ready-made replacement for the retired Adam Gilchrist at the top of the order.
Coach Tim Nielsen said the value of the matches against Bangladesh should not be under-estimated.
"This series provides us with an exciting opportunity see our senior players and youth combine in what will be a very important series for us," he said.
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