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Gilchrist throws support behind dumped Hayden

Source: ABC Sport - February 5, 2005

Dropped Australian opener Matthew Hayden has promised to do "whatever it takes" to fight his way back into the one-day side.

Hayden was dumped from the starting XI as Australia beat Pakistan by 18 runs in the first of the one-day series finals at the MCG on Friday night.

The out-of-form Queenslander has not been told whether he will play in Sunday's second finals game at the SCG, but on Saturday he said he had been told that the "door is ajar".

"I see this personally as a temporary thing, and I'll make sure that whatever it takes I'll fight my way back in," he said. "I don't feel like I've finished playing one-day cricket for Australia."

Hayden said he was looking forward to proving the selectors wrong.

"It's their call, they've made it and they have to live by it," he said. "All that I can possibly do is offer them a platter of runs, and if it means being number two or number one in the world to get back in - fine."

And he said he was drawing inspiration from the return to form of his Queensland team-mate Andrew Symonds, who made 91 against Pakistan at the MCG.

"One minute maybe on the outer, next minute showing his talent as we all know he can and showing once again that form's such a fickle thing," he said. "One terrific performance gives that little bit of confidence and away you go and your talent takes over."

On Friday night Australian vice-captain and one-day opener Adam Gilchrist had thrown his support behind his deposed colleague.

Speaking after the game, Gilchrist said Hayden had been "extremely disappointed" to be dropped, but he was confident his regular opening partner would return.

"As Matty said today, if you don't get runs you're going to be under pressure no matter who you are in the team," he said.

"So he's aware of that and he's going to set about trying to change that around and force his way back into the team."

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he did not know if selectors would give Hayden a chance to prove himself in tomorrow's second final at the SCG.

"We've got no idea about that yet," he said. "I think it will be a tough call, and it was a tough call either way ... we'll go down to Sydney and pick our best side for the conditions down there."

Gilchrist said he hoped Hayden would be a part of Australia's upcoming tour of New Zealand when it kicks off later this month with five one-day matches before a three Test series.

"I'd like to put my support behind Matty," he said.

"I'd love to see him involved and on the tour and given every chance ... to get back into the team because he's still one of the best batsmen in Australia, if not the world.

"You don't lose that talent overnight - you lose a bit of form - and if anything, this highlights how wonderfully successful he has been over the last four years."