MELBOURNE: Aging opener Matthew Hayden on Tuesday made clear his intentions to continue his Australia career till 2009 Ashes.
"I'm playing on," he said before entering the Australian dressing room at the MCG on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old Hayden, who still enjoys the support of Australian selectors for his fourth Ashes tour to England, just needs a big score to quiet the demons of several low scores.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said he had watched Hayden closely in the nets and seen no indication in his footwork, catching or work ethic that his appetite for international cricket was waning.
"I hope he is thinking his goal is still to go to the Ashes," Hilditch said.