Australian batsman Matthew Hayden is confident of a return to form in the third Test against India starting on Wednesday.
Aussie opener promises return to attacking form
Australian batsman Matthew Hayden is confident of a return to form in the third Test against India starting on Wednesday.
The usually aggressive opener has struggled with the bat in recent weeks, making just 42 runs from four innings and failing to score at all on two of those occasions.
Australia slipped to a 1-0 deficit in the current series after India demolished them by a record 320 runs in the second Test in Mohali.
Hayden has spent extra time in the nets in an attempt to rediscover the devastating form that saw him amass 549 runs at an average 109.8 on the 2001 tour, although Australia lost that series 2-1.
"It is a good opportunity to spend time in the middle," he said.
"(It was) just spending extended time in the nets to replicate what I'm really looking forward to in the next 13 days."
Big score
The 36-year-old is eager to silence talk of a decline in the standard of Australian cricket and aims produce the goods for his side in Delhi.
"The expectation is very high on the Australian cricket team," he said. "I expect to play well in the two games.
"I've put in a lot of work in a month of being in India now (but) it hasn't quite paid off yet. I'm very confident at the way I'm playing.
"A little bit of rub of the green and I think a big score for Hayden is around the corner."
"If conditions allow, which it does look like another batting track, I hope to play with good intent."
Australia, usually braced for spin in India, have been hit by pace and left-armer Zaheer Khan has dominated Hayden.
"When a bowler is successful against you, he obviously knows he has got a certain strategy which is working for him," Hayden added.
"I believe in my heart that I have also had an extremely successful time against Zaheer."
