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Matthew Hayden admitted his return to the one-day team had yielded disappointing results and he was looking for a big score against England at Adelaide on Friday (tomorrow).

But Shane Watson’s comeback for Queensland on Thursday (today) could mean the race to partner Adam Gilchrist in the World Cup is back on in earnest.

Watson, who was given the role of opening for the Champions Trophy in India, was named in Queensland’s limited-overs team for their match against Western Australia but will play as a specialist batsman.

He initially hurt his hamstring in a domestic one-dayer shortly before the Ashes started – he was pencilled in for the No 6 position instead of Michael Clarke – and when he returned for Queensland before Christmas he injured the muscle again while bowling.

But with the World Cup rapidly approaching Watson is keen to be back among the runs after impressing at the Champions Trophy with two half-centuries from his five innings at the top of the order.

Hayden, who was recalled to the One-day International (ODI) team when Watson was unable to recover in time for the CB Series, has not grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

He has made starts but failed to turn any into a decent total and his four scores so far have been 28, 27, 19 and 0.

He said he was desperate to build a big opening stand with Gilchrist to prove the pair was the right one for Australia’s top order.

“Gilly and I have had a few good starts but it was a disappointing weekend for us,” Hayden said of their partnerships of 26 against England on Friday and 6 against New Zealand on Sunday.

“I think we got dragged down a little bit by the totals. Small totals are always tricky to chase,” he explained.
Source:The News

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