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Hayden strikes form in tour opener
The opener smashed 67 off 82 balls as the tourists reached 159/3 by stumps on a rain-hit opening day of their match against Mumbai.
Australia began their Indian tour on Thursday with an aggressive batting display by Matthew Hayden on the rain-curtailed first day of a three-day match against Mumbai.
The left-handed opener smashed seven fours and two sixes in 67 off 82 balls as the tourists reached 159/3 by stumps after electing to bat on a slow wicket at Mumbai's Brabourne stadium.
Only 52 of the stipulated 90 overs were bowled during the day after overnight rains delayed the start till an hour after lunch. Play was extended by an hour but ended due to poor light as dark clouds gathered again.
Australia left out star leg-spinner Shane Warne and fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz for the only practice match before the first Test starts in Bangalore next Wednesday.
All three are almost certain to take the field at Bangalore but the tourists preferred to give a chance to paceman Brett Lee and all-rounder Shane Watson to stake their claims.
