Veteran Hayden struggles for form

THE focus isn't so much on Matthew Hayden's impending 100th Test, as whether he will get to 101. Hayden has spent considerable time mulling over his options over the past year, and while he insists the fire within still burns, the fiercely proud Australian opener gave no time frame as to when it might extinguish.

A first-ball dismissal yesterday — his third duck in five Tests — will have done little for Hayden's confidence, and the veteran appears to have a major decision to make at the conclusion of the Adelaide Test, his 100th.

"Longevity is fine if you've felt like you've contributed," Hayden said this week. "To my way of thinking, if I summarise my first seven Tests, I didn't feel like I contributed at all during that period, as opposed to seven through to now, where you feel you've contributed but you've been a part of an era. Like all personal milestones, none of them make any difference if you're not in a winning culture. To my way of thinking, thankfully we've been through this era, a culture, that's demanded a lot from ourselves."

He makes no attempt to disguise how much he misses the teammates who have retired in recent seasons, most notably Justin Langer, with whom he shared a prolific and historic opening partnership. For now, Hayden — who turned 37 last month — is happy to serve as a generational bridge, moulding and adapting to the requirements of this team. Should his struggles with the bat continue through the Adelaide Test, he might well be moved to reassess his position.

"I miss those characters in the dressing room," he said. "They're great old warriors. There's no question that when those guys leave, there's a part of you — and the culture — that's not dead, but goes with them. It's an exciting opportunity right now to be involved in a culture that has lost some of the bright superstars of the game, and we've now got some emerging hardcore players, who have done their time, like I felt like I had done, and it's great to see how much they want it.

" 'Punter' (Ricky Ponting) and I have a huge responsibility, definitely. We also have to back off and let other cultures within the team flourish. I guess it's just experience that tells you when you need to do something, or need to back away. I'm enjoying it all.

"I remember sitting on a sandhill with (wife) Kel, and we were talking about the future of my career, and India was always a bright light for me, because it was always going to be a hard tour. The whole concept of a core group of players moving through a space which was very welcome, but by the same token a country that was dying to beat us. I think through those times you see opportunities open up for the guys who really want it."

Should he draw the curtain on his storied career this season, the list of replacements is more limited than some might imagine. A season-ending injury to Phil Jaques and the fall from favour of Chris Rogers leaves Shaun Marsh as the obvious candidate, although his first-class average of 35.35 hardly inspires. Selectors could feasibly look to convert Brad Hodge, or roll the dice on NSW rookie Phil Hughes, but both options are not without risk.

Most assumed Hayden would continue his career through next year's Ashes series, providing himself an opportunity to avenge the series defeat of 2005. But when asked whether England remained on his radar, he was coy.

"I would love to think I could play through England, and past next summer," he said. "But things don't always go how you want them to."

One potential motivating factor for Hayden to continue his career is his fledgling partnership with Simon Katich. Although he admits to having little in common with the NSW captain, Hayden said Katich's determination and drive had been a constant inspiration throughout the testing Border-Gavaskar series.

"It has been interesting," Hayden said. "Obviously, Justin and I had a special partnership, and I will always treasure that. At the same time, I have really enjoyed my time batting with Simon. We are completely different characters, and that's a good thing, because it means you always have to work on your combination.

"Like me, he has had his ups and downs, but he has shown just how badly he wants to succeed, and he has deserved his chance. In India, it was him powering me, more than the other way around. My confidence was a bit low from time to time, and just seeing him go about his business, his drive, really spurred me on."