Hayden, Jaques get Australia off to a strong start

Adelaide: Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques cruised to half-centuries as Australia made a powerful reply to India in the fourth Test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Hayden was closing in on a ton (he was batting on 94 when latest reports came in) while Jaques made 60 to steer Australia to 159 in their first innings before the first wicket fell soon after lunch on the third day. It was Indian skipper Anil Kumble, who provided the breakthrough, removing Jaques with a big-spinning leg-spinner that castled Jaques.

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India still lead by 367 runs after compiling 526 over the first two days but their advantage is likely to shrink as their bowlers rarely threatened Australia's openers on a pitch that was heavily favouring the batsmen.

India's chances of making a breakthrough were further hampered by the absence of their main strike bowler Rudra Pratap Singh, who injured a hamstring on Friday afternoon and did not take any part in the match on Saturday.

Hayden celebrated his return to the Australian team with a typically aggressive display, reaching the interval within sight of a 30th Test hundred in his 94th match.

The broad-shouldered Queenslander hammered centuries in the first two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, both won by Australia, but missed last week's third Test in Perth because of a hamstring injury.

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Australia lost that match to give India the chance to square the series in Adelaide but believe Hayden's return would tip the scales back in their favour.

Cleared to resume playing, Hayden wasted no time making his presence felt, dominating the Indian bowlers and smashing eight boundaries and a six.

Jaques, playing in just his eighth Test after replacing Hayden's longtime partner Justin Langer at the top of the order, was content to play a more cautious role.

Also a lefthander, Jaques hit just three fours, but hardly played a false stroke before his dismissal as he strolled to his fifty and laid the foundations for a bigger score on a baking hot day in the South Australian capital.