Hayden looks forward to the contest
The Australians have arrived in India, as one of the most eagerly awaited Test series of all time prepares to get underway in the coming weeks
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It's great to be back. In fact, it's a similar position to the one we faced three years ago. The series is between two very similar sides, who are competitive home and away, and it's going to be a great showdown. It's one we've certainly been looking forward to, and I'm sure world cricket has been looking forward to it as well, especially after the way India performed in Australia last year.
Actually, I didn't say they were selfish. I think I've had my say about those supposed comments.
Do I think that? Well, I guess it depends on what level of achievement you are talking of. It's not the only way.
I wasn't surprised by that performance - not at all, in fact. I think the expectations of that series were clouded by the fact that, in general, India don't play well away from home, and the stats back that up. But they have six absolutely incredible batsmen, and a very handy bowling attack who performed well on our seaming wickets. India reached their potential on that tour, I think.
As a team, we've been working very hard on our approach to spin bowling, and our approach to subcontinent-style wickets in general. We used our tour to Sri Lanka as something of a platform, and it paid off, because from No. 1 to No. 7, we all put in key performances. If we bat as well here, it will set up a big contest.
To be honest, I rarely notice when I'm in the nineties. I very rarely pay attention to my individual score, because it's not a key to my performance. But when I'm batting with Justin [Langer], I always know our partnership score.
Test match cricket is the best game that can possibly happen in front of full crowds |
It's the way we've been brought up in Australia - we've always been taught to play positive, proactive cricket. It's definitely a conscious decision, as we aim to put pressure on opposition in all facets of the game, and the best way to do that is to score runs.
The similarities are becoming a lot closer, there's no question about that.
Zero - only because I think we're far too professional to let that concern us. We've had one bad game in three months, and these things happen when it's a knockout tournament.
He develops it through role-modelling, and through seeing how the senior players react to situations. Winning is an addictive thing, and when it becomes ingrained in your conscience, you don't have to do much to work on the habit, other than watch and learn how the other players go about their business. It's a question of leadership
We have to talk a lot about the subcontinent, because it's so different to home. With the likes of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Brad Hodge in the side, it's great to give help to them. That's hardly letting the cat out of the bag though - of course we talk about the conditions.
I really enjoy it. The country is incredibly hospitable and the passion for the game is second to none in the world. It puts us right in the hot seat, no mistake. We've already noticed how highly our profiles have been elevated - back home I could walk through Sydney with the wife and little one, and no-one would recognise us. That's not the same here, and it could never happen, because of the love of game and the people involved. Test match cricket is the best game that can possibly happen in front of full crowds, and as Test cricketers we really appreciate that affection for the game.
The vibe of the crowds is substantially different. They get on a roll when something starts to happen, and it can be quite critical that you don't get caught up in that. The momentum of the game affects the momentum of the crowd, and it's something you have to have in the back of your mind. It's a powerful combination, and you have to have a strategy to deal with that - maybe slow things down and take stock of the situation.
I'll miss my wife and kid - that's for sure.
Andrew Miller is UK editor of Cricinfo