Relaxed Hayden ready for Ashes blitz

Matthew Hayden has many points to set straight ahead of the first Ashes Test, which starts on Thursday at Lord's - particularly the question of his form. In his last 12 Tests he has averaged 33.10, which is much lower than his overall mark of 53.46. Nevertheless, a relaxed Hayden told a media conference that the numbers didn't matter. When asked if he was in good form, he replied: "Yes - if there is such a word. I'm watching the ball closely, which is always a good start."

And he also rebuffed suggestions that he was looking to exploit any of England's bowlers. "Look, there's always lots of talk about targeting players," he said. "It's the greatest load of rubbish of all time. The only enemy is really the cricket ball that comes down at you. Whatever is said and whatever is analysed doesn't matter. What we have to do is bat and everything else will look after itself."

However, he recognised that he could look to score off Steve Harmison, while noting that Andrew Flintoff could be England's key bowler. "Anyone that comes from a great height always asks the questions," said Hayden. "Harmison's got a lot of natural variation as well in his bowling. It's his greatest strength - and his weakness - that you do get scoring options. He's not going to be a miserly sort of bowler, but he also gets wickets. Australia have seen that as a potential threat, but we haven't become a great side by looking over our shoulders too much. Freddie Flintoff was probably the key bowler in the one-day series. He bowled good lines and lengths and at good pace as well. He's got a lot to offer."

But Hayden said it didn't matter how well England played because Australia were invincible on their day. "I don't really care much for all this 'are they closer?'. I really believe that it's all about us - if we are executing our skills I don't believe there's a side that can get close to us." Hayden is in rude mental health, and physically his shoulder is faring well, as Australia's media manager Jonathan Rose told Cricinfo: "He is continuing to have treatment, but he is tracking well. He's on top of the injury, put it that way."

Hayden said the three-day match against Leicestershire was solid preparation for the first Test. "It was nice to have a good knock out there the other day, even it was the flattest wicket on earth," he said. "It was good to have that workout because the two games are entirely different. We have to adapt pretty quickly."

But Hayden's approach is the same for any form. He doesn't care much for sporting psychology and won't be breaking down his technique anytime soon. "It's a really simple game for me - I try to keep it as simple as I can. I love playing shots - there's no question of that. You can crack your game apart to the point where you're paralysed with it. I like playing the hook shot. It gets me out, but it gets me a lot of runs as well. I like playing down the ground. Obviously when you look to play down the ground you can nick the ball, but it's the last thing on our minds."

However, some psychological matters concerning Hayden have interested the media recently, not least that confrontation with Simon Jones. "At no stage was it ever taken off the paddock. Everyone wants to know what actually gets said but there's often not much said - it tends to be more of a body language thing and a general banter around the group."

He still believes sledging has its place within the game, and even adds to it. "When Warney 'Oohs' and 'Aahs' every ball when he beats a high-position batter, it's great for the game. It's the spirit of the contest. I will be really surprised if there's anything that's over the mark." It seems Hayden is raring to go.