At 37, Hayden doesnt have retirement plans till 2011 World Cup

Australian opener Matthew Hayden has said that he had no plans to retire from one-day cricket in the near future, and that he wanted to continue to be a member of Aussie squad at least till the 2011 World Cup.

Melbourne, Sept 29 : Australian opener Matthew Hayden has said that he had no plans to retire from one-day cricket in the near future, and that he wanted to continue to be a member of Aussie squad at least till the 2011 World Cup.

"The big thing is I haven't lost my passion for one-day cricket and while I'm performing there, I'll keep playing it. The significant part of my decision is whether Matthew Hayden is affecting the team negatively in the run to the World Cup? I don't see that being a consideration yet. I'm as motivated now as I've ever been. That's really driving my insatiable appetite for runs," Hayden was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.

Recently Hayden's tenure in Australian team has come under scanner with both Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson knocking at the doors of the selectors for the opening slot in the run to the 2011 World Cup.

Although Hayden, who will turn 37 next month, remains the first-choice, national selectors Andrew Hilditch, Jamie Cox, David Boon and Merv Hughes are of the opinion that he must hang the boots now, said the report.

Marsh and Watson have forged a formidable partnership, posting 70-plus stands in three of their first six innings together.

In particular, Marsh, son of former Australian vice-captain Geoff, has been a revelation, averaging 47.57 in his first eight outings in the international arena.

Australian coach Tim Nielsen said the national selectors are planning to sit down with Hayden to discuss his future. "The selectors will sit down with him and work out where he's moving over the next 12 months and how he'd like to go about that," added Nielsen.

ANI