Hayden message to Indian team 'Watch out'

Sydney, Nov 30 (UNI) After the hostile reception that Australian team got in India, the kangaroos are gearing up to dish out some of the same stuff to their Indian counterpart, especially to speedster Sreesanth.

''If you have a look at Sree Santh, that's obviously the way he feels he can compete against Australia and good luck to him,'' batsman Matthew Hayden said.

''We'll be waiting here with open arms to that approach. That's definitely the way you will fire up one Matthew Hayden and one Ricky Ponting, that's for sure,'' he said.

Expecting a cracker of a series, with the morale of the Indian team on a high after their series win against England after a span of 21 years and already in the driving seat in the ongoing Test series against arch rival Pakistan, Hayden said, ''I really believe it's going to be a very good series.

''Make no bones that they are going to come out very strong, competitive, with a very good batting line-up and a particularly strong bowling line-up as well - and for the game it is great,'' Hayden said.

In the Future Cup, which concluded on October this year, temper flared up as both the teams --India and Australia-- resorted to sledging. Interestingly, Indian cricketers especially Sreesanth has taken the lead in the duel with his histronics.

The big shouldered opening batsman was also not in favour of the tried and tested formula of tri-series and added his voice to the chorus of players not in favour of the one-day format.

The 36-year-old said, ''I think the system has got a little bit tired as far as the tri-series is involved.'' ''I feel towards the back end of the tri-series, if one side like Australia has dominated the competition, there does seem to be a lot of dead rubbers.

''That could be Hobart's (sole) game and I believe they deserve a more meaningful game.

''I think, as a fan, you want to be seeing a highly competitive match with a lot riding on it,'' Hayden said.

The three-way series was the brainchild of Kerry Packer as it provided his network with more cricket product.

But the problem with the triangular contest is that it includes at least four non-core contests between the visiting sides and possibly seven if Australia does not make the finals. There is also the issue of dead rubbers. The foreign matches are poorly attended.

Cricket Australia will examine the concept at its board meeting, but will not announce scheduling changes until March.

Hayden though has given his vote of approval to the five-match concept which would see Australia play a single tournament against each visiting nation.

''I believe you can get just as much out of that from having a five-match series,'' he said.

''If you've got a decreased number of games but a highly competitive tournament, it's an asset,'' the southpaw added.

UNI