Hayden cleared despite haemorrhoid operation

Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has been cleared fit to play in the third Ashes Test against England starting on Friday despite undergoing surgery for haemorrhoids.

But the in-form opener will still need painkillers to take the field after the problem prevented him from fielding on the third and fourth days of the Adelaide Test.

Local media reported on Tuesday that Hayden underwent two operations on the problem in Adelaide and Australian team officials are satisfied he can play.

Hayden, currently ranked as the world's best batsman, was man of the match in the first Test after making 197 and 103, becoming just the fourth Australian to score twin centuries in an Ashes match.

He made 46 in the first innings in Adelaide for a series average of 115 but wasn't required to bat again as Australia wrapped up victory by an innings and 51 runs inside four days.

The Australian and English teams were both scheduled to fly to Perth on Tuesday with the match due to start at the WACA on Friday.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and only need to draw one of the remaining three games to retain the Ashes.

Mail Cricket Editor