NORTH SOUND, June 4: Australia have drafted Shane Watson into their squad for the one-day series against West Indies in place of the injured Matthew Hayden.

Hayden’s Achilles tendon injury ruled him out of the current Test series in the Caribbean.

Watson, who has struggled with injury himself, has not played for Australia since the 2007 World Cup final.

“Eighteen months ago we identified Shane as someone we thought could open the batting for Australia in ODIs and in the opportunities he has had since he has played that role extremely well. He also adds great flexibility to our bowling attack in this format,” Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.

“Shane has had a disappointing run with injuries but finished our interstate season well and has sustained his fitness levels throughout the Indian Premier League tournament,” he added.—Reuters