Melbourne, Feb 21 The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) is not taking any chances on further injuries to its squad ahead of the World Cup and has asked some of its players to skip the Ford Ranger Cup Final on Sunday.Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Hodge will not play in Ford Ranger Cup Final between Victoria and Queensland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the national selection panel, announced.Hayden, who plays for Queensland, has been ruled out of Sunday's final after he fractured his toe in Australia's loss to New Zealand in the third Chappell-Hadlee ODI.'I have discussed the situation with (Shane) Watson, (Mitchell) Johnson and (Brad) Hodge. All three are being rested on the recommendation of the Australian coach and support staff on the basis that this is in the best interests of the Australian team as they continue their preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup,' said Hilditch.Australian coach John Buchanan said: 'Having been a state coach I understand the position of the states and recognise that this is a premier fixture in the domestic calendar but in this case I believe there's a bigger picture and that's the World Cup, and the preparation of players in the Australian squad for that tournament.'Australia is in Group A with South Africa, Scotland and the Netherlands. They will open their World Cup campaign March 14 against Scotland in Basseterre in St. Kitts and Nevis.
(c) Indo-Asian News Service
