McGrath & Hayden return

The Australian squad for the one-day international tri-series tournament in Malaysia next month has been named with Glenn McGrath and Matthew Hayden returning to the side.

McGrath last played for Australia in January of this year, and has been out of cricket since to care for his wife Jane, who has faced another cancer battle.

Hayden last played in the one-day game team in the NatWest Series in England last year.

Adam Gilchrist has been left out of the 18-man squad with the national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch saying: “Adam is a vital member of the Australian Test and one-day side and performs an extremely demanding role.”

“After an extended break following the end of last season it has been decided the best way to prepare him physically and mentally for the upcoming summer of cricket is to allow him to continue his training program at home.”

“We consider this to be an ideal preparation for Adam before the ICC Champions Trophy, the 3 mobile Ashes and the 2007 ICC World Cup.”

Mike Hussey has been named vice-captain in Gilchrist’s absence, with Brad Haddin taking over the wicket-keeping duties.

The selectors have also gone for some up and coming players in including Mark Cosgrove, Daniel Cullen and Mitchell Johnson.

The Tri-Series in Malaysia against the West Indies and India starts on 12th September when Australia play the West Indies.

Australia Squad
Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey (vice captain), Andrew Symonds, Nathan Bracken, Mark Cosgrove, Daniel Cullen, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Watson