Gilchrist will be better for rest - Hayden

Matthew Hayden is expecting big things from his rested opening partner, Adam Gilchrist, at the World Cup despite Gilchrist's struggle for runs during the CB Series. Hayden said Gilchrist's absence on Australia's ill-fated tour of New Zealand would do him wonders as he aimed to recapture his brilliant form in the West Indies.

"I reckon the rest will do Gilly the world of good," Hayden told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It was a huge summer. There were a few things needed for him, one of which was rest. He's a great player, he's got it all ahead of him at the World Cup, which is a premier tournament he wants to play at. He'll be fine."

Hayden teamed up with Shane Watson to open in the final Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match, where the pair put on 122. Hayden went on to make 181 not out, which was the best ODI innings by an Australian. It was the most impressive opening stand of Australia's summer after Gilchrist - who averaged 22.20 in the tri-series - and Hayden managed only one century partnership from ten efforts.

It was unfair to judge Gilchrist's output by the standards of "normal" players, Hayden said, because he was far from a typical batsman. "He's wonderful to bat with because the side is always getting off to a flying start," Hayden said.

"When you rate Gilly, you don't rate him like a Ricky Ponting or like myself. Someone like Andrew Symonds is in the same category as Gilly. They're power players, they hit boundaries, they take risks. Gilly takes those opportunities without fear. It costs him his wicket sometimes but that's for the betterment of the team.

"The markers people put on players traditionally need to be looked at. Strike rate is obviously a big one for our side. The way the game's played in the first 20 overs has changed the way cricket has been played. The way we view statistics as a general rule - is a bloke averaging 50? It's not really a pass mark any more. I think Gilly's going to have a huge tournament."

Hayden said because of the small grounds in the Caribbean, clean strikers like Gilchrist and Symonds would be the key to posting huge totals. However, the ability to bowl yorkers at the death and in power plays would also be crucial, though it was a skill that deserted Australia in New Zealand. Hayden said the 3-0 loss to New Zealand was disappointing but Australia were not dwelling on it.

"No one's too happy about losing, but the bigger picture is winning the World Cup," he said. "Our feeling is not just optimism but pure excitement, because we know we've done all the work leading up to this World Cup. I think we're on the verge of something great."