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Hayden challenges India to win in Adelaide

January 22, 2008

Opener Matthew Hayden said Australia are undeterred by the Perth loss and challenged India to prove their claims of superiority in the fourth and final Test at Adelaide.

Australia, who are leading the series 2-1, will come back hard in Adelaide, according to the left-hander.

"I would say there is no other side in the world that comes close to us when we are playing our best," said Hayden, whose 86 consecutive Test streak was broken when he missed the Perth match due to hamstring injury.

"We have had a little glitch in the radar. I don't suspect that will be in our mindset in preparing for this Test. Ultimately, we are still 2-1 up in the series, so I am not sure we are bottom-dwellers just yet," he was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

The 36-year-old hard-hitting Australian batsman refused to agree that tourists' attack is now the best in the business after proving themselves in the third Test at the WACA. India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad had declared that the visitors had the best bowling attack in the world.

"We will see. We have a very talented side. It is unbelievable. A week ago cricket was boring because Australia was so dominant. We have a very good bowling line-up going into these conditions. We saw that in Sydney," he said.

Hayden said he is fit to play India in the fourth and final Test, starting on Thursday.

"I am in. It is as simple as that. I have already done fitness tests this week," said Hayden, who has scored 307 runs at 76.75 in the two matches he has played in the series.

"I feel comfortable where I am at with my hamstring and I have prepared like I would for any Test. I am ready to go. I am in pretty good shape."

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