Hayden struggled during the Ashes series

An innings of 68 on The Oval's batsman's paradise (Australia declared at 641 for four) dragged his tour Test average past 33.

But he was out having looked set, with his score in the 30s, on three occasions.

He struggled against the extra bounce produced by Andrew Caddick and Alex Tudor, and England's almost non-existent spin attack also accounted for his wicket twice - Ashley Giles at Edgbaston and Phil Tufnell at The Oval.

Success against spin

However, another left-arm slow bowler, South Africa's Claude Henderson, had far less success on Monday. Hayden clobbered 70 runs off 79 deliveries from the novice spinner, including three sixes over midwicket.

Of the other members of the South African attack, only a below-par Lance Klusener went for more than three runs per over against the burly Queenslander.

Henderson was hit hard by Hayden

Hayden also made good use of the sweep in gaining seven fours off Henderson, a tactic that worked well against New Zealand left-armer Daniel Vettori too.

It was the sweep in particular which brought Hayden success in India.

And he said at the time that a spell with the Australian Cricket Academy in Madras three years ago had taught him to launch an all-out attack on the slow bowlers, sweeping with conviction to make them falter in line and length.

It worked with Henderson on Adelaide's turning track, and Hayden will be eyeing the third Test of this series, on Sydney's spinner's paradise, with glee.

But Melbourne stands between the two fixtures, and Hayden will be eager to prove that he can excel in all conditions, as well as boosting his stature as the year's leading batsman.