Hayden batted within himself for much of the day

Matthew Hayden believed that for much of the first day of the Test against Zimbabwe in Perth he batted within himself. It was only after scoring his century that he felt compelled to start expanding his game.

Speaking after stumps, at which time he was 183 not out, he said: "From a hundred on, I really started to feel good. The next fifty seemed to come up in a few minutes."

Geoff Marsh was disappointed with Zimbabwe's day as he told the players at stumps that for all but the last hour they had played "really good Test cricket. We bowled good lines, played to our game plan.

"We held Australia. But it just goes to show what a great side they are. In the half an hour after tea we just let the game drift. We bowled the two spinners for too long. We should have brought the quicks back on a bit earlier."

Marsh was surprised at the lack of swing with an easterly blowing all day, but he agreed the pitch was slow and it had been a very good batting strip.