No guarantees for Hayden, says Ponting
Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting says he cannot guarantee out-of-form opener Matthew Hayden will be selected in the side to play Pakistan in the first final of the triangular one-day series at the MCG on Friday.
Hayden has averaged just 10.5 runs from his past four matches and his position has been under threat from Michael Clarke during the triangular series
Clarke replaced Hayden as opener for the home side’s first two matches of the series, after the burly Queenslander was rested following Australia’s nine-wicket win in the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney.
Ponting said while he wanted Hayden to open the innings in Melbourne, it was up to the national selectors to pick the team they believed could win.
“The really tough selections around this team, I think it’s really only fair that the selectors make those calls,” he said.
“I’ll put my point across as to the team I want to have, but if there’s something that the other four selectors see differently, then they’ll make that call.”
Ponting said he would consult with the selectors before they name the line-up for the first final.
'I’ve got some time to spend with the selectors in the coming hours and before the game tomorrow to finalise it but it’s going to be a tough selection," he said.
“But as far as I’m concerned, Matthew is our best opener when he’s at his best.”
