Australia's selectors have today embarked on the unexpected step of removing Matthew Hayden from the squad that will play out the remainder of the VB Series of one-day international matches against New Zealand and South Africa.

Hayden has played only two matches in the series but was Australia's outstanding player of the Test summer, scoring four centuries in the space of six matches. Though his performances in the shortened form of the game suffered a lapse on the recent tour of England, the Queensland opening batsman was also in outstanding touch upon winning a recall to Australia's limited-overs side in India early last year.

Mark Waugh, with just 16 runs behind him in the series at an average of 5.33, retains his place and is now expected to partner Adam Gilchrist at the top of the batting order for the remainder of the preliminary matches.

All-rounders Ian Harvey and Andrew Symonds, who have mustered only 14 runs between them in four innings, have also continued to hold their spots.

South Australian batsman Darren Lehmann's compelling form at domestic level has meanwhile not been deemed sufficient to win him a call-up. Lehmann hammered an explosive 143 from just 130 deliveries in a Pura Cup match against New South Wales on Friday on the back of form that has won him four Man of the Match awards from seven ING Cup appearances this summer.

The growing claims of emerging Tasmanian all-rounder Shane Watson have also been put on hold.

The news of Hayden's omission, meanwhile, comes after the Australians scrapped to a 27-run win over South Africa in Brisbane last night to gain their first win in four attempts in the series.

A loss to the same opponent in tomorrow's day-night encounter in Sydney would go close to ending their hopes of appearing in the finals of the competition early next month.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd