Watson to replace injured Hayden

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

AUSTRALIA'S SELECTORS have named the exciting all-rounder Shane Watson to replace injured Matthew Hayden on their current Caribbean tour.

The Australians, who retained the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy on Tuesday after drawing the second Test match, lost Hayden to a heel injury last week and Watson steps in to replace him for the one-day international (ODI) series coming up.

"Approximately 18 months ago, we identified Shane as someone we thought could open the batting for Australia in one-day cricket and, in the opportunities he has had since, he has played that role extremely well," said Andrew Hilditch, the Australia chairman of selectors.

Great flexibility

"He also adds great flexibility to our bowling attack in this format of the game," Hilditch added.

Watson was a standout at the just-concluded inaugural Indian Premier League, in which he spurred Rajasthan Royals to the title under fellow Australian Shane Warne's captaincy.

Player of the Tournament

He scored 472 runs, with an average of 47.20 and a strike-rate of 151 and snared 17 wickets at 22.52 in his 15 games to be named Player of the Tournament.

Watson is due to arrive in the Caribbean during Australia's third Test in Barbados, which starts next week Thursday.

"My dream, all along, has been to break back in and be a permanent member of the Australian team," said the 26-year-old, who last played for Australia in their 2007 World Cup final win over Sri Lanka in Barbados.

The limited-overs series between West Indies and Australia, which includes a Twenty20 and five ODIs, begins with that Twenty20 fixture at Kensington Oval on June 20.