Cricket: Black Caps bowlers running scared, says Hayden

1.00pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

BRISBANE - Hard-hitting Australian opener Matthew Hayden expects the New Zealand bowling attack to try and bore him into submission in the first Trans-Tasman Trophy cricket test starting here tomorrow.

Hayden, scorer of 20 centuries in 55 tests, has accused international bowlers of dodging him by adopting ultra-defensive tactics designed at slowing his power hitting.

He fully expects the Black Caps to adopt the same blueprint when he bats on his home ground.

"I'm sure that'll be their strategy, yeah," the Queenslander said after an impressive net session at the Gabba yesterday. Will it frustrate me? It will if I bat long enough."

Hayden has made a speciality of batting for long periods against New Zealand.

When the Blacks Caps last visited for their meritorious drawn series in 2001-02, Hayden was second only to opening partner Justin Langer's 320 as the most prolific run-scorer with 297 in the three-test series at 59.40.

However, during Australia's series win in India last month the home side managed to curb Hayden to an extent by spearing deliveries well outside off stump in the hope he would finally lose patience and nick himself out.

One of the 33-year-old's key strengths is the ability to slam any bowling on his body. Wider deliveries cut down his effectiveness -- he tallied a relatively poor 244 runs at 30.5 with a highest score of 58.

Undeterred, the keen fisherman said he was willing to take the bait again if the New Zealand gameplan unfolded the same way.

"I'm going to be a player that throws my chances at them because I do like to dominate and keep the game moving forward.

"It's quite an interesting stage of my career, because sides aren't keen to bowl at me and get me out. They're more determined to keep me out of play and see me off strike.

"You can't score runs being up the other end. You've got to be on strike so I'm going to roll the dice and see how they fall."

Hayden could not explain how he failed to approach the 549 runs at 109.8 he scored in India in 2001, but was not losing any sleep as he looked forward to a rewarding homecoming.

He averages almost 90 on his happiest test hunting ground and rated the latest Gabba strip as a batsmen's paradise providing the opening session is negotiated.

"As a batter it's always venue that's hard to get in on but once you're in there's a lot of runs on it.

"You don't have too many surprises in the wicket through the course of the day.

Hayden said it was a shame injured paceman Shane Bond would not be steaming in.

"It would be nice to have Bond there. He's one of the few right hand bowlers that takes the ball away from the left hander. Australia likes to challenge itself."

Hayden thought 1.98m Jacob Oram, while well short of Bond's express pace, could prove a handful given the trajectory he delivers the ball from.

"He reminds me a little bit of (former Australian allrounder) Tom Moody. He has a yard or two on big Tom and he was always difficult at the Gabba.

"I think we'll be in for a challenging time against Jacob -- he's bowled pretty well against us in the last 12 months."

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach John Bracewell yesterday hinted Craig McMillan may be on the brink of a test recall after originally being called over as cover for the ill Stephen Fleming and injured Nathan Astle.

McMillan, a 54-test veteran, was overlooked for rookie Hamish Marshall in Bangladesh but his experience -- and medium pace bowling -- could see the Cantabrian restored to face the world champions.

"He has the hard nut experience the Australians respect," said Bracewell who names his side later today (approx 9pm NZT).

- NZPA