Australia insist out-of-sorts opener Matthew Hayden is not ready to retire and wants to take part in their two major tours of 2009.
But their confidence in him snapping his doldrums is based largely on the hope he can continue his phenomenal record at the MCG, a venue he will be pleased to return to for the second Test against South Africa.
Hayden’s lean 2008 has prompted speculation the 37-year-old is considering beating a selection axe by stepping down on his own terms.
But teammate Mike Hussey said Hayden had not spoken about retiring, while coach Tim Nielsen wanted the Queenslander’s experience for next year’s demanding tours of South Africa and England.
“My understanding and talking to Matthew is he’s committed to playing for Australia,” Nielsen said.
“Matthew is one of the finest players that Australia has ever produced … so you certainly want those players around your team whenever you can have them, they don’t grow on trees.
“It’s important that when you are playing the big sides you have your best team available and when Matthew’s playing at his best he is a huge bonus for us.”
Out of form, Hayden has been a worry.
His past 13 innings have yielded 282 runs at 23.50, so he will relish a return to the MCG, where he averages 76.57 from nine matches.
It is that remarkable record that has Australia hopeful Hayden can regain his touch and set the launch pad for a victory they must achieve to keep the series alive.
“We always count runs and we’d like him to be making more runs than he is at the moment, but if he can get through that early period like all opening batsman and get a start this week, he will show his true colours,” Neilsen said.
“He’s made (six) hundreds in the last (seven) Test matches here and we’re looking forward to him doing that again this week.”
Hussey warned against writing off a champion, as Hayden would “definitely” post a big score soon.
Hayden’s struggles and those of fast bowler Brett Lee, 32, show Australia are still to complete their period of player exodus, which already includes the losses of Damien Martyn, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Brad Hogg and Stuart MacGill in a little over two years.
With Ricky Ponting, Hussey, Simon Katich, Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark all 33 or over, Australia could shed even more players sooner rather than later.
But Nielsen was adamant improved fitness and management for players meant Australia could stagger their next wave of retirees.
“Yeah, we’ve got some older guys, but also Katich and these sort of guys who are 32, 33, they’re still young bodies,” Nielsen said.
“It’s a different game to what it was in 1980 or even 1990 when I played.
“Being 30 now and the support you get around the team means you can play until you’re 37 or 38, so I expect they’ll play for two, three or four more years yet.”
South African coach Mickey Arthur, whose side in Perth boasted five played aged 25 or younger compared to Australia’s two (bowlers Peter Siddle and Jason Krejza), was determined the scrutiny on the home side would not influence his side’s performance.
“We can’t let the opposition or the media or the public or the hype distract us,” he said.
“We’re a very focused unit at the moment and that’s the way we need to remain.”
The Melbourne Cricket Club said ticket sales had been strong in the lead-up to Boxing Day, predicting a first-day crowd of about 70,000.
Fine and sunny conditions have been forecast.
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