BRISBANE // Opening batsman Matthew Hayden will miss Australia's limited overs cricket series against Bangladesh starting on Saturday because of an Achilles tendon injury. The Australian side's medical staff made the decision to omit the big hitting Queenslander today and allow him to continue rehabilitation at his home in Brisbane. Hayden aims to be fit for Australia's next major assignment, a four-Test tour of India.
The Australian team, minus Hayden, injured captain Ricky Ponting and the fast bowler Brett Lee who has been granted time off after the break up of his marriage, assembled in Brisbane earlier today for a two-day camp before heading to the northern territory of Darwin. Michael Clarke will lead the team in Ponting's absence. *AP
