SYDNEY, Jan 11: Opening batsman Matthew Hayden will be rested for Australia's first two matches in the triangular one-day cricket series against West Indies and Pakistan.

Hayden has been struggling for form in the past few months and Australia's chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, said in a statement that he was being given a rest to freshen up. "The selectors believe that this short lay-off should help Matthew as he prepares for the remainder of the series and all other cricket that lies ahead," Hohns said.

"The 14-man squad will give us the flexibility to give players who have taken part in both forms of the game over the past few months a break from time to time." Australia play West Indies in Melbourne on Friday in the opening match of the series before playing Pakistan in Hobart two days later. -Reuters