Fit Hayden warns India before Adelaide Test

Adelaide, Jan 22 (UNI) After dismal opening partnerships in the two innings against India at Perth, Australia is set to recall it's mainstay of the opening position, Matthew Hayden, who could not play in the third Test due to a hamstring injury.

Hayden suffered a hamstring tendon strain in the second innings of the second Test against India at Sydney in which he scored match-winning century.

But the opener has regained fitness and is raring to go in the last Test at Adelaide Oval that starts on January 24.

He had an hour-long net session with national coach Tim Nielsen at Adelaide Oval and said ''I am in. It is as simple as that. I have already done fitness tests this week.'' Hayden has scored 307 runs at 76.75 in the current series against India claimed that he is fit enough to represent his side at Adelaide.

''I feel comfortable where I am at with my hamstring and I have prepared like I would for any Test.

''Right now I am ready to go. I am in pretty good shape.

Even at the WACA on the last day I was up around 85 per cent (fit),'' he said.

The batsman also warned India to be better prepared for the fourth Test saying that the Perth's performance will not be repeated.

''Our challenge is to bat like we know we can, and that means doing nothing different, the same things we do day in, day out leading into every Test.'' The left-handed batsman also dismissed former India captain Sourav Ganguly's claims that said the Australia's reign is over and India is the team that will replace it at the top.

''I would say there is no other side in the world that comes close to us when we are playing our best,'' Hayden said.

''We have had a little glitch in the radar. I don't suspect that will be in our mindset in preparing for this Test.

''Ultimately, we are still 2-1 up in the series, so I am not sure we are bottom-dwellers just yet,'' he added.

Hayden also threw a challenge at India's bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad who had earlier said the Indians possess the best bowling attack in the world at the moment.

''We will see,'' Hayden said adding ''We have a very talented side. It is unbelievable. A week ago cricket was boring because Australia was so dominant.

''We have a very good bowling line-up going into these conditions. We saw that in Sydney.'' However, the 36-year-old claimed that paceman Shaun Tait was under utilised in the Perth Test and is a talented player who could well be used in Adelaide and for future aswell.

''I think the conditions will also suit Taity with a little bit of reverse swing and good pace in the wicket as well,'' he said.

''He's had a little bit of cricket under his belt, which is always going to be a good thing for Shaun.'' UNI XC RAR BST1212