Hayden upbeat over fitness

Matthew Hayden

Australia batsman Matthew Hayden is confident he will be fit for the first Ashes Test next month despite being bitten by a dog.

In what he described as a “vicious attack” while out jogging, the left-handed opener suffered a 5cm-long cut to an ankle.

The injury comes just a week after Hayden broke a finger taking a catch for Queensland in a state match against Tasmania, but he insists he will be available for the opening Test in Brisbane, which starts on November 23.

“The hand injury would have kept me out for longer than this one,” he said.

“I was out for a leisurely run. You are always a bit shocked by that sort of thing but I was more disappointed than anything.”

Hayden was left out of Australia's one-day squad for the ICC Champions Trophy but is almost certain to make the Test side if passed fit.