Hayden passed fit for New Zealand tour

Matthew Hayden has been declared fit to tour New Zealand for the five-match one-day series. Hayden had been struggling with a chest infection which forced him to miss last Friday's ING Cup match between Queensland and Western Australia, but was cleared in Brisbane.

Dr Trefor James, the Cricket Australia medical officer, said: "Matthew underwent fitness testing and was able to get through two heavy sessions without any difficulties or ill effects. He was reviewed by Queensland Cricket medical staff who were very happy with his progress."

Hayden will get another opportunity to wrest back the opener's spot, which was taken by Michael Clarke during the VB Series finals. Hayden has had a horror run in both Tests and one-dayers in the last season, but Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, indicated that Hayden would get another chance to regain his slot in New Zealand.

Talking about the illness which had laid him low, Hayden said: "I felt very sick. My lung capacity was way below 50%. I felt not dissimilar to having pre-flu symptoms but as the week went on the pleurisy symptoms really started to hurt to the point where you just couldn't breathe in air.

"But I am on the road to recovery which is a good thing. I think I was relying on how I was hitting the ball today. If I was feeling terrible after hitting balls in the nets it was a sure sign I wasn't fit. I definitely feel all right to go."

The Australia squad will leave for New Zealand on Wednesday, and will play a Twenty20 international on Thursday. The first ODI is at Wellington on Saturday and the tour will be followed by three Tests.