Hayden leads the way at the MCG …

Matthew Hayden celebrated his sixth century in Boxing Day Tests but Anil Kumble ejected some of the guests from Hayden's party as Australia reached 3 for 213 at tea. India changed their fortunes in the space of seven overs as they took 3 for 30 soon after lunch but Hayden remained 121 not out at the break with Michael Clarke on 14.

Hayden's century came up with a well-timed four driven wide of mid-off from RP Singh and although he only took 126 balls it was a less dominant display than many Hayden hundreds. Hayden was the only one of Australia's top seven not to post a half-century in last month's Sri Lanka series and was delighted at again pulling his weight, enjoying the moment with an energetic wind-up to swing his bat and propel his bulky frame in a jump for joy.

It was the first time he had reached triple-figures in a Test since last year's Melbourne match against England as his love affair with the MCG continued. He has now made a century in every Boxing Day Test since 2001-02 except against Pakistan three seasons ago. Hayden's was the wicket Kumble was desperately searching for but he was content to pick up another pair of in-form left-handers with wrong'uns that were bookended by Zaheer Khan's removal of Ricky Ponting.

Jaques was hoping for his third century from three Tests when he failed to pick Kumble's googly and was lured slightly out of his crease trying to push a slower one back past the bowler. But the ball spun past the outside edge and MS Dhoni completed a relatively simple stumping as Jaques slipped trying to regain his ground.

Michael Hussey followed for 2, missing a ball that pitched on leg stump and turned back, striking Hussey on the back pad. Mark Benson was quickly convinced it would have hit the stumps and Australia were 3 for 165.

Arguably the most important blow came between the two Kumble successes when Zaheer switched to around the wicket and bowled Ponting for 4. Zaheer delievered from wide of the crease and pitched it on off; Ponting played for the angle but the ball straightened and collected the top of off stump. It was an impressive way for Zaheer to manufacture a strike after he extracted some early swing only to see Hayden and Jaques build a healthy 135-run stand.

After deciding to bat Ponting conceded that the slow pitch might make things difficult for his top order in the morning and, for half an hour at least, he was right. Jaques and Hayden survived several plays and misses and streaky edges against Zaheer and RP Singh before they began constructing their partnership.

They scored at a decent pace - Jaques took 108 balls for his 66 - as they tried to deprive India of a positive Boxing Day experience and continue the trend of visiting sides struggling in Australia after a disappointing first session. It worked against England last summer - think Steve Harmison's extra-wide Ashes opening - and against Sri Lanka last month but India might prove tougher to break.

Jaques reached his half-century from 80 balls with a confident sweep when Harbhajan Singh strayed down leg side, and it was his seventh boundary of the innings. He also impressed with an excellent cut for four off RP and followed with a well-timed straight driven boundary against Zaheer.

Hayden thick-edged a lucky boundary through the vacant third-slip region early off RP but was generally more convincing with his later efforts. There were occasional displays of brute force, although more often he relied on timing and placement and a superbly judged on-drive for four off Zaheer was a highlight.

Check Live scores below …