27/08/2008 10:23 AM
Australia opener Matthew Hayden has conceded his time on the international one-day scene may be coming to an end.
The 36-year-old left-hander has withdrawn from Australia's upcoming series against Bangladesh with a heel injury - the same complaint that forced his early departure from the tour of the West Indies earlier this year.
In his place Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson impressed at the top of the order, while hard-hitting wicketkeeper batsman Brad Haddin has also been touted for the opener's role ahead of the three-match series in Darwin.
Despite that Hayden, who is the current ICC ODI player of the year, has vowed to fight for his place at the top of the order, but admitted he would likely assess his future in the 50-over game at the end of the year.
"I'm really keen to keep playing one-day cricket, at least for this summer," he told The Australian.
"I really enjoy it so providing I can hold my spot I will definitely be playing more one-day cricket."
"It's not like I've played 300 games. I came late to one-day cricket and have played about 150 games."
"I want to finish off the desire I have to play one-day cricket without being selfish because it's important the team has plenty of time to prepare for the next World Cup."
"That's still a long way off, but I won't be ruthless about trying to push on. I don't want to hang on too long."
For now Hayden is concentrating on regaining his fitness for Australia's tour of India in October.
With the postponement of the Champions Trophy, the burly Queenslander has more time to complete his rehabilitation and be fit in time to tour the sub-continent.
"In the short term it's disappointing (that the Champions Trophy was postponed), but in the longer term it's really good because it gives me extra time to get right for India," he said.
"India is a hugely challenging and iconic series."
"There have been a lot of distractions lately with the rise of Twenty20 cricket but the premium product is still Test cricket and one of the premium events is playing India."