Clarke prepares for demotion

Michael Clarke's glorious two-match run as opener will end on Friday if Australia's regular one-day combination is reunited. Clarke added 97 against Pakistan yesterday to his 66 at the MCG, but he could be dropped as low as No. 7 at for the game against West Indies at the Gabba.

Ricky Ponting does not expect Clarke to open if Matthew Hayden, who was rested for the opening two matches, and Adam Gilchrist return to the side as predicted. "It's great to know we have a lot of flexibility within our side," Ponting said. "Damien Martyn has done it in the past, Darren Lehmann has done it a couple of times as well and Michael has done it three or four times now."

Clarke opened with Gilchrist last Friday and Simon Katich at Hobart, when Gilchrist withdrew with a slight knee injury, and was ready for a huge demotion. "Hayden is coming back for Brisbane and Gilly's hopefully going to be fit, so I guess that means I'll be back to No. 7," he said. "In a perfect world I think my favourite position is number four, in both forms of the game."

Mark Taylor believes Hayden will return strongly after his break and said it was necessary for players to freshen up during their careers. Taylor told AAP Hayden was judged harshly on his 2004 form after three magnificent years.