Monty is Vettori, the other hand round: Hayden

Sydney, Nov 2 (UNI) Comparing Monty Panesar to Kiwi left-armer Daniel Vettori, Australian opener Matthew Hayden said if selected England's latest spin sensation would be a tough nut to crack in the eagerly anticipated Ashes series.

''The way that we play spin is obviously super aggressive, so I think he will be challenged. That gives him an opportunity as well.

So it's a two-way street,'' Hayden was quoted by the 'Courier Mail' as saying.

''He's a little bit different to most finger spinners. He does give the ball good air and he flights the ball. It's very Daniel Vettori, the other hand round,'' he added.

Hayden said the Aussies will look to put pressure on Monty from the very onset but predicted that the left-armer will be among the top wicket takers in the series.

''We are going to definitely put him under pressure but he is going to take wickets as well,'' he said.

Hayden, after having recuperated from broken finger, has returned to domestic cricket and asserted that lack of match practice will not hamper his performance in the Ashes.

''I think I addressed those (batting issues) towards the end of the series and then pretty much from then on I've just done what I've had to do,'' he said.

''People look at the last series but it seems like a long time ago. I'm very confident in the way I want to play this summer. I'm looking forward to getting back on the horse but I'm not worried about it one bit. I've been playing so long that over time you just know your game so well,'' he added.

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