ST PETER’S, March 28: Australia coach John Buchanan said Matthew Hayden had played one of the ‘top innings’ of his career after the opener's 158 left the reigning champions handily-placed in their opening World Cup Super Eight clash against the West Indies.

Hayden's innings, the best by an Australian at the World Cup after he topped fellow Queenslander Andrew Symonds 143 not out against Pakistan four years ago in Johannesburg, was the cornerstone of his side's 332 for six in the first major match staged at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday.

Hayden – who was dropped from the one-day team after the 2005 tour of England for the best part of a year – needed 18 balls to get off the mark in overcast conditions before smashing the bowlers in a 143 ball-innings featuring four sixes and 14 fours.

The 35-year-old left-hander was carrying on from his century in Australia's previous match, an 83-run win against world number one South Africa in St Kitts on Saturday. But this innings was played on a far larger outfield and on a livelier pitch.

“I think it was one of his top innings, not necessarily because of the scoreline, although that's a pretty significant score in one-day cricket but because of the adjustment he made coming from St Kitts,” said Buchanan.

“It was a wicket significantly different, a ground significantly different and a bowling attack significantly different.

“We were looking for a platform from him and he gave us exactly that. I rate that very highly amongst the innings I've seen.”

Defending seemingly impregnable totals has proved a problem for Australia in one-day cricket during recent times.

The four highest scores to win batting second in One-day Internationals have all been made against Australia since the 2005-06 season, including a world record 438 for nine by South Africa in Johannesburg in March last year.

“It's fair to say we've had some big scores chased down so first of all it's nice to know we are making the big scores,” said Buchanan.

“But if we look around the world, the game has changed and teams are finding it harder and harder to hold sides that are chasing.”

And Buchanan said he was encouraged by the way Australia held their nerve after South Africa's rapid start in pursuit of 378 for victory last weekend where the run-out of A.B. de Villiers and the cramp suffered by Graeme Smith helped the title holders.

“I think we did a very good job against South Africa albeit a run out and possibly a bout of cramp helped our case,” said Buchanan.

“Nonetheless our bowlers and our fielders stuck with the task and we were able to take nine wickets for 70 runs on a ground that was batting friendly.

“I'm pretty pleased with the way the bowling group is coming along.”—AFP