They opened happily ever after…

We started with Hayden: ‘‘Do you stand by your comment that Indians are selfish?’’

‘‘Look I never said anything like that. I have had my say on the supposed comment,’’ says Hayden almost like he was half-expecting it. The topic switches and there is visible relief on the faces of the Aussie openers.

What has been the secret of their success? The question is for Hayden, but his partner answers: ‘‘When I opened in the last Test on the Ashes tour (2001), I regarded it as my last-ever Test. It was like a bolt from the blue. But since then its been a thrilling time. The secret has been our friendship on and off the field, which has cemented their bond. ‘‘With Haydos, it is just like going to work with your best friend.’’

Continuing, Langer says, ‘‘Hunger is the key. We have traversed similar paths. We have seen the disappointments. Got dropped and come back. All this has just made us more determined than ever. We just want success now.’’

The dynamic duo have ‘‘changed the face’’, as Hayden put it, of opening partnerships in Test matches and now rattle up runs at breakneck speed on one single day of a Test match. ‘‘I particularly carry the aggression of one-day cricket into the Test matches. Getting a big partnership in quick time helps the cause of the team.’’

Hayden’s plan for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy — like in the past — is simple: score as fast as possible and leave enough time for the bowlers to force a win. ‘‘It is a conscious decision to score fast. It is almost addictive. Cricket’s become just so entertaining. Before the opposition knows anything the pressure is on them.’’

Partner Langer though preferred to put it down to the ‘‘way we bat’’. ‘‘Just the way we have been brought up. We like to be positive in anything we do. Steve Waugh for instance always wanted to us be proactive. Whether it was batting, bowling or fielding.’’

So does this series still retain the ‘final frontier’ status? ‘‘Yes,’’ says Langer. ‘‘This is the most important series for us. In this era we have achieved everything that is there. Only beating India remains.’’

Hayden pipes in: ‘‘Its going to be a great series. Almost the whole world has been waiting for it just because of the way both sides have played home and away against each other.’’