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Australia v West Indies, 2nd Test, Hobart, 2nd day
'I'm feeling really set at the crease' - Hayden
Peter English at Hobart
November 18, 2005
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Matthew Hayden got his fourth hundred in as many Tests but was not yet as intimidating as during his pre-slump heavy-hitting
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Matthew Hayden believes his stunning back-to-form surge of four centuries in consecutive Tests is due to the work he did in England to escape a career-threatening slump. As Hayden races towards 1000 runs in the calendar year - he currently has 978 - he
has found the settled mindset that has been a crucial
aspect of his global domination.
West Indies again felt the brunt of Hayden's blade as
he struck 110 from 167 balls and with Michael Hussey,
who is 113 not out, they battered an already frail
line-up. Hayden was in danger of being dropped before
the fifth Test in England, but he has thrived with the
drop in opposition bowling intensity and became the
third player alongside Don Bradman and Ken Barrington
to score hundreds in four Tests in a row more than
twice.
"In any of the games I've played this summer I've been
strong," Hayden said. "It was great to refocus and
refresh in England because I wasn't batting badly but
I was caught all the time in the 30s. I didn't have
the right strategy to push on with good balance and
patience. What's happening now is from the hard work
through the Ashes series and I'm feeling really set at
the crease."
Hayden's 11-fours and one-six display contained bouts
of powerful aggression and solid defence, although he
admitted he was not yet as intimidating as during his
pre-slump heavy-hitting. "I'm still swimming between
the flags at this stage," he said. "Sometimes today I
drifted out a bit for a while and Huss wanted to know
what I was doing."
Australia's new and temporary opening combination
posted a 231-run stand and while the partners clicked
successfully their understanding cannot match the
level Hayden has attained with the rib-injured Justin
Langer. When Hayden threatened to move out of control
Hussey approached his team-mate like the office junior
to ask: "Can I talk to you? Is there anything you need
me to say?"
Hayden was just happy to be watching Hussey reach his
first Test century and gave him a huge hug when he
passed three figures with a leg glance and celebratory
leap. "Mike scoring a hundred was really special and
it's so nice to see the reaction," he said. "My
hundred was definitely second to this experience."
The wait for an opening showed in Hussey's nervy
opening match at Brisbane but he was more relaxed
preparing for this match and it showed. "I'm elated,"
Hussey said. "It's really nice to play at this level
but it's also important to succeed and I'm really
content." He knows he will be replaced by Langer when
he regains fitness and spoke to him before the Test to
congratulate his state team-mate on the birth of his
fourth daughter.
Only Corey Collymore restricted the Australians' run
flow as his fast-bowling partners sprayed the ball,
and he dismissed Hayden to claim figures of 1 for 34
off 17 overs. At the Gabba Ricky Ponting called him a
"mini-McGrath" and today Hayden said he was like
Malcolm Marshall. "He's bowled well for two Tests and
he can swing the ball around," Hayden said. "It was a
bit hard for him today as the ball was wet and there
were two guys in nick."
Despite a rain delay of almost three hours,
Australia's lead stands at 107 with nine wickets
remaining and Hayden said the plan was to push it
towards 300. "I think you'll see us bat all day
tomorrow and maybe have a crack at them late in the
day."
Peter English is the Australasian editor of Cricinfo
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