Allrounder Shane Watson is poised to play his first one-day international in more than a year after being named as the replacement for Matthew Hayden in Australia's one-day series against the West Indies starting this month.
Hayden has been ruled out of the tour with an Achilles tendon injury, with Queenslander Watson earning a recall after starring for Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals championship-winning side during the inaugural Indian Premier League.
"It is obviously disappointing for Matthew Hayden and the Australian side that injury has forced him out of the one-day tour of the West Indies ... however this does create an opportunity to reintroduce Shane Watson back into the Australian one-day side," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.
"Approximately 18 months ago we identified Shane as someone we thought could open the batting for Australia in one-day cricket and in the opportunities he has had since, he has played that role extremely well.
"He also adds great flexibility to our bowling attack in this format of the game.
"Shane has had a disappointing run with injuries but finished our interstate season well and has sustained his fitness levels throughout the IPL tournament.
"Shane is an exciting young player and deserves his opportunity to return to the Australian side."
Watson's last game for Australia was the 2007 World Cup final against Sri Lanka in Barbados.
The 26-year-old, who scored 472 runs at an average of 42 in the IPL, will join the Australian team together with rest of the one-day squad members in Barbados during the third Test next week.
Australia play one Twenty20 match, and five one-dayers against the West Indies.
