Hayden set for World Cup opener

Matthew Hayden remains on target to play in Australia's World Cup opener against Scotland on Wednesday. Ricky Ponting said Hayden's broken big toe was healing well and extensive net sessions had him in good shape for the Scotland clash.

"He batted for an hour-and-a-half today," Ponting told AAP after Australia's warm-up victory over England on Friday. "He's done a lot of running as well. The impact is the thing that everybody has been worried about. He seems to be coming along pretty well. I think right at the moment he would certainly be on track to play [on Wednesday]."

Ponting said it was therefore likely Shane Watson would drop down to No. 7 despite his excellent results when given the chance to open. "I've said for a long time now I think his [Watson's] game is best suited to the top of the order," Ponting said. "Every game we've seen him lately when he has opened, he has looked the part there.

"He's got very good new-ball shots. He's got a good solid technique if the ball is swinging around and he drives the ball down the ground and cuts it and pulls it as good as anybody going around. There's no doubt he's got a game well suited up there.

"At the same time he's a pretty strong powerful sort of guy too. So if we can get him in at the right situation with wickets in hand towards the end of our innings, he's a guy who's going to be able to clear the rope for us."

The imminent return of Hayden will mean Australia have a near full-strength squad. Only Andrew Symonds will remain on the sidelines but Australia hope he will be fit for their second or third group match.