Many Australians might not look back too fondly on the tour of India earlier this year when their magnificent run of 16 Test Match victories was brought to an abrupt end at the hands of VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh. Australia went on to lose the series 2-1 and with it their air of invincibility.

But for one Australian, though naturally disappointed with his team's result, the tour represented a personal success story – and in the nick of time, too. India was Matthew Hayden's last chance saloon.

He had been recognised as a special talent when he became the first Australian to score more than 1,000 runs in his debut Sheffield Shield season with Queensland, but he failed to live up to expectations at international level.

He averaged just over 21 in his first eight Tests - and that included 125 against the West Indies in 1997 - and fell by the wayside.

But sheer volume of runs for his state and Northamptonshire, whom he led to the Second Division title last summer, ensured he was recalled when the West Indies toured Australia in 2000-2001.

He made a good start, including two half-centuries, but his form then tapered off leaving him with an average of under 30 for the five-match series and facing the prospect of the axe again.

"India was definitely my last chance," he admits. "That was it, there were no more for this kid.

"But that was fine and I think that is a great pressure to play under. I guess when I first started I probably wasn't prepared to accept that pressure.

"Now I just go with it. I am an Australian cricketer, playing at the highest level and I now have pride in that position and know I have a game plan for Test cricket.

"When I was out of the international equation, I never thought my chance had gone. Never.

"The problem had been I just got half scores all the time, I got run out a few times and I knew I was under a lot of pressure. I just didn't feel supported at all. It was very different to this opportunity."

And Hayden certainly made the most of his chance. He racked up a phenomenal 549 runs in the three-Test series at an average of 109.8 to cement his place at the top of the order. He scored 119 and 28 not out in Mumbai, 97 and 67 in Calcutta and a belligerent 203, including 15 fours and six sixes, and 35 in the thrilling finale at Chennai.

Hayden puts the change in fortune down to a change in the type of pressure he was placed under.

He said: "At the end of the day I was competing with Mark (Taylor), he was captain and left-handed. That's no criticism on Mark, just the way it was.

"My opportunities always came through injury or Mark missing out sickness-wise or something. It was never really my spot.

"I got back in before Christmas and when I went to India I knew the pressure was on again - but it was a good pressure. One that I felt well backed in.

"I wasn't going out thinking `this is my last chance'. I was going out thinking `I know these conditions and I am backed by the captain and coach'.

"The monkey is off my back now and I know I am going to do well.

"Stephen (Waugh) and Buck (coach John Buchanan) have definitely made a big difference. I have felt Stephen has always believed in my ability, even when I wasn't in the side, often giving me a pat on the back if I was doing well."

The 29-year-old Hayden reckons he owes much of his success to experiences gleaned on the English county circuit. Hampshire benefited in 1997 and his two-year stint as captain of Northants led to personal and team success.

"Playing county cricket is invaluable," he said. "It's such a great breeding ground for Australians to come over and play.

"The conditions are very different to what we play in at home and a pack of 20 games a summer over three summers gives you 60 games that you wouldn't be playing to get cricketing experience.

"Personally, I really appreciate the English and England for letting us play here. It's a great opportunity for us.

"I now know my game inside out in different conditions - and the amount of runs I have been able to score has been like a permanent net.

"So you are stupid if you can't learn something from a summer here. I have also learnt to deal better with people - I think the captaincy experience with Northants was just invaluable for me."

© CricInfo Ltd.