Hayden challenges Steyn

Matthew Hayden is looking forward to facing Dale Steyn in the Tests

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Matthew Hayden believes facing Australia will determine whether South Africa paceman Dale Steyn is as good as his record suggests.

Steyn has taken 60 wickets so far in 2008 to jump to the top of the ICC world rankings although cynics have been quick to point out 37 of those have come against Bangladesh and West Indies.

Opener Hayden was coy when asked if he felt Steyn was the real deal.

“We'll see won't we,” Hayden said. “We'll see, because he's obviously going to play Australia and I think we're a pretty good side."

Hayden had the chance to face Steyn during the inaugural Indian Premier League season and drew comparisons to former South Africa great Allan Donald and current Australia bowler Brett Lee.

“Even though it was a short stint (in the IPL), it was three or four overs in a row,” Hayden reflected.

“It was good to get a feel of his shape, he does remind me a little bit of a shorter version of Allan Donald.

"(He's) also very similar to Brett Lee, so our batters will certainly be shaping up against 'Binga' (Lee) this week, it'll be very important for us."

Comments from both camps have already started to appear in the press, but Hayden was relatively tight-lipped ahead of the opening Test in Perth.

"We love the on-field and off-field banter which we've all read about and seen in the press," he said.

"I think that the two sides are closely matched up, it's going to be one of the best series we've seen out here in Australia for a while.

"They have got a good fast bowling attack and they'll get their shot straightaway in Perth, that's one venue which traditionally aids the fast bowlers."