Hayden closes the gap

Matthew Hayden's two centuries in the second Test at Cairns meant he closed the gap behind Brian Lara and Rahul Dravid to just seven points in the PwC batting ratings, although he remains in third place.

Hayden scored 117 in Australia's first innings, and followed that up with 132 in the second. His efforts have also moved him into third position, behind only Don Bradman and George Headley, on the list of the most prolific century-makers in Test cricket.

Hayden has now made 20 centuries in 95 innings, while Headley managed a slightly better rate of 15 in 60 innings, and Bradman scored 29 in 80 innings. However, Hayden has surpassed Bradman in becoming only the eighth player, and the third Australian behind Allan Border and Greg Chappell, to score a century in both innings of a Test more than once. Hayden previously scored 197 and 103 against England in the first Ashes Test of the 2002-03 series at the Gabba.

During his second-innings hundred against Sri Lanka, Hayden also passed 5000 Test runs, and has now increased his average to 58.15, which is the highest of any current Test player.

Australia have five other batsmen - Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Darren Lehman and Justin Langer - in the top 21, and Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne occupy fifth and sixth place in the bowling.

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