Melbourne, Dec 15 : South African pace spear head Dale Steyn has vowed to knock down Australian opener Matthew Hayden by targetting his head during this week's first Test in Perth.

Skipper Graeme Smith has identified Hayden as the key target for the Proteas, as it can be revealed that Steyn has made it his personal mission to blunt Australia's batting bruiser, the Courier Mail reports.

Hayden has long been the cornerstone of Australia's batting fortress but chinks have been appearing in the armour of the 37-year-old opener, who has averaged just 26 in his past six Tests.

Steyn, in his extensive handwritten study notes on Australia's batsmen, has noticed that Hayden's feet are not moving as quickly as they once were.

Adelaide, Nov 27: Ahead of his 100th Test, Australian all-rounder Matthew Hayden has said that he doesn’t consider himself as “special”.

Having played for 14 long years, after making debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1994, Hayden declared there was nothing special about his cricketing story.

Melbourne, Nov. 25 : South Africa’s snarling pacer Dale Steyn is expected to give Australian opener Matthew Hayden a torrid time in next month''s marquee Test series.

Pace ace Dale Steyn, 25, has already passed Allan Donald as the quickest South African to 100 Test wickets with an intoxicating blend of pure pace, aggression and swing.

In 26 Tests, he has 135 wickets at a superstar average of 22.08, having claimed nine, five-wicket hauls and twice finished with 10 wickets for a match.

Australia has never had to confront Steyn and his battle with an out-of-form Hayden who has always tried to impose himself on the new-ball bowlers, regardless of reputation.

Aussie opening batsman Matthew Hayden, who is just one match away from his 100th Test, has verified that his participation in the Ashes cricket tour next year would depend on the ongoing Test against New Zealand at Gabba.

Speaking with the media persons, Hayden said, “I reckon there is a chance of that always. When you get to my age, you get to a point where the next 12 months is a long, long way away. But having said that, I have been really process-driven right the way through my career.”

After a poor show in the first two tests against India, Australia opener Matthew Hayden is sure that his team will bounce back in the third Test in Delhi starting from October 29.

Speaking in a press conference here on Sunday, “I think we are extremely confident, we've had good preparation … and are optimistic about the competition that's ahead of us.”

The prolific batsman from Queensland has managed to score only 42 runs in the first two Tests, with 29 being his top score.

Commenting on his poor form, the left hander said, "I won't change my strategy, but that aggression I showed in the second innings (in Mohali) is just how I want to play here.”

New Delhi, Oct 25: Australian team’s opening batsman Matthew Hayden on Sunday said that they would fight back in the third Test Match at Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi.