Hayden returns to one-day thinking

Matthew Hayden has been given the news he is still in contention for a one-day return after being picked in Australia's initial 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy in India in October. Hayden has not played a limited-overs match for his country since last year's tour of England, but he has been named alongside the opening batting incumbents Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich for the World Cup warm-up.

Glenn McGrath is another returning face to an Australian squad after his break since January to care for his sick wife Jane. However, McGrath will have to wait until next month, when the squad is trimmed to 14, to learn whether he will start his season with his state or national side. "It is a work in progress," a Cricket Australia spokesman told AAP. "The selectors and Glenn continue to talk about the most appropriate time and place for his return to cricket."

Untested internationals in the squad are the Australia A players Travis Birt and Ben Hilfenhaus while Doug Bollinger, the New South Wales left-armer, and David Hussey have also been chosen. Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, was pleased the outfit contained a strong mix of new and old.

"Experience is blended with a group of exciting young players who have largely been involved in the Australia A Top End Series and have come through the Centre of Excellence program," he said. "It is worth noting that some other young players who have performed well recently at Australia A and Centre of Excellence level have not made this squad, which reflects the current health of Australian cricket." The side's first match at the Champions Trophy is on October 18 in Mumbai.

Squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Travis Birt, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Mark Cosgrove, Dan Cullen, Brett Dorey, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Mick Lewis, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Marsh, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.