Smith eager to see back of Hayden

7 January 2009

Matthew Hayden may have played the last Test of his 103-game Australia career

South Africa are hoping Australia drop opener Matthew Hayden before the return Test series begins in February, according to Proteas skipper Graeme Smith.

The 37-year-old Queenslander may have played the last of his 103 Tests in the SCG thriller today following a lean run with the bat.

Hayden's international future will become a little clearer when the Australia limited-overs squad is announced on tomorrow.

The out-of-form left-hander has indicated he wants to tour South Africa next month and play on until the Ashes series in England, but Smith hopes he is not granted his wish.

Asked if he'd be happy to see Hayden's name missing from the Australia line-up, Smith admitted: "I'd probably say yes because I know what he can do, I know what he's capable of.

"You've seen him perform at a level over a period of time.

"As a left-handed opening batter I've obviously got a lot of respect for the performances he's had over the years.

"There is a lot of speculation on him at the moment and I guess the Australian team, leadership and selectors need to guide you on that in terms of where their thinking is and what their plans are going forward.”

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting backed the imposing opener to bat on, but said his close friend has given no indications as to what his immediate future holds.

"I'd love Matty to keep playing," Ponting said. "If you're asking me personally I'd have him in my team every day of the week because he's a champion player and a champion bloke and great for our team right at the moment."

If Hayden does tour South Africa, the Proteas are confident they can again subdue him.

Going into the Australia series with a firm game plan against the opener, South Africa were able to dismiss Hayden for well under 50 in each of his six innings

"We (will) just treat it the same as we have in this series," Smith said.

"We've got our game plans to Matty and they seemed to have worked well for us.