The Queensland left-hander, who scored 101 off 68 balls against South Africa for the fastest century in World Cup earlier in the tournament, hit a 143-ball 158 as the defending champions overcame initial hiccups and posted a daunting 322 for 6 at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua, on Tuesday, Day 1 of the rain-interrupted match.

His power-packed innings was studded with 14 fours and four sixes.

Put in to bat, Australia lost Adam Gilchrist for seven in the fifth over when the left-hander edged Daren Powell to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Hayden, however, made sure his side was not affected by Gilchrist's cheap dismissal. After adding 66 runs for the second wicket with his captain, Ricky Ponting, he put on 98 with Michael Clarke. He was in such awesome form that even a miscued shot off Marlon Samuels cleared the ropes.

He was finally dismissed in the 47th over when his lofted shot off Dwayne Bravo fell into the hands of Marlon Samuels at long off.

Hayden's innings was the highest in the World Cup by an Australian, beating Andrew Symonds's 143 not out against Pakistan four years ago.

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