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Hayden fit and ready to return

22/01/2008

Australia opener Matthew Hayden looks set to return from injury in time for the final Test match against India, which starts on Thursday.

The 36-year-old Queenslander missed the third Test in Perth after he picked up a hamstring injury during the second Test at the Sydney cricket ground earlier this month.

However, without the destructive veteran in the side, replacement opener Chris Rogers has disappointed alongside Phil Jacques after their opening partnerships in the third Test yielded a total of just 33 runs in two innings.

And Jacques, who looks likely to keep his place alongside the returning Hayden, said he was looking forward to reforging their partnership.

"He has a wealth of knowledge, lots of experience and he's a great guy to have in the team, and having him back will be fantastic," 28-year-old Jacques said.

"Every Test match we get a little bit more understanding, running between wickets and the way each other plays, and we are starting to work out when we are having our little low periods and our high periods."

Jacques also went into detail about what he believed Hayden would bring to the lineup for the crucial fourth Test, which India must win in order to square the series.

"Matt coming back into the side will make a big difference to our team, that's for sure," he continued.

"He's a fine player with a fine record so obviously his intent at the top of the order will definitely help us.

"We [Jaques and Rogers] did our best last week but unfortunately we both had a couple of good balls [in the third Test] and that happens in cricket."

The first day of the fourth and final Test between Australia and India in Adelaide begins at 10:30 local time (00:00 GMT) on Thursday.