Hayden shoulders Test concern

Matthew Hayden's shoulder injury, which has forced him out of tomorrow's one-day game at Napier, is becoming a worry for the first Test starting on Thursday. Hayden was in pain while batting in the nets yesterday and the Courier-Mail reported that Alex Kountouri, the team physiotherapist, could not guarantee he would be ready for Christchurch.

Hayden said the complaint was never going to heal overnight and he had to be patient. "I've been lucky over my career that I haven't had too many injuries so I'm not quite used to this situation," Hayden said. "It is definitely improving but there is still discomfort."

Scoring 71 and 114 in the opening two matches, Hayden suffered the injury to his right shoulder taking a diving catch off Chris Cairns in the second ODI at Christchurch. The damage was poorly timed for Hayden, who had sealed his place as opener after being dropped for the VB Series finals and recovering from pleurisy.

Australia will name their side for the final ODI at McLean Park tomorrow, but Ricky Ponting will come back after resting a slight thigh strain. Ponting's return means one of the four fast bowlers will miss out in what could be a sign of whether Brett Lee or Michael Kasprowicz will play in the first Test.