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Blewett's head is on the block

Australia's record-breaking winning streak could save struggling Greg Blewett from being dropped for Friday's third cricket Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

Blewett's head is on the block after Monday's second Test win in Wellington, scratching 25 runs from 115 balls to continue a disappointing summer in the Test team. Since he was recalled to the national team in the Caribbean 12 months ago, Blewett has averaged just 29.54 in 24 completed innings, failing to score a century. His form has fallen away in New Zealand, where he has scored 50 runs in four unconvincing knocks, opening the door for Queensland opener Matthew Hayden to return to the Test team.

But captain Steve Waugh provided some comfort for Blewett when he said it would be tough to change the team which had taken Australia to a national record nine consecutive Test wins.

"I haven't really thought about it, but if you think you can improve a side, then you make changes," Waugh said here Tuesday.

"We always sit down before the Test match and work out what our best team is for the conditions and we'll do that again but it's pretty hard to change a winning side when you've won nine in a row."

Blewett was the only batsman in the regular top seven not to score a century during the winning streak, despite passing 80 twice during the home summer. The South Australian right-hander had done the hard work in two of his Test innings in New Zealand, reaching 17 and 25, but he failed to build on the starts, increasing the pressure for a change at the top.

Hayden, who has not played a Test in three years, did all he could with four half-centuries in his first six innings on tour, looking impressive when he slotted into the No.3 position in the one-day series. The Queenslander would also provide the advantage of a left-right handed opening combination with Michael Slater, who returned to form with a typically dazzling 143 in Wellington.