Simon Katich has thrown his support behind besieged opener Matthew Hayden after the veteran's lean spell with the bat continued here yesterday.
Hayden made just 12 on day one of the first test against South Africa at the WACA Ground.
He looked in ominous touch early as he cracked paceman Makhaya Ntini for three glorious boundaries.
But the 37-year-old was brought undone when he edged the paceman through to Graeme Smith at first slip.
Since making back-to-back centuries against India in January, Hayden has averaged just 25.3 with the bat.
His highest score in that time was 83 during Australia's recent tour of India.
"As his opening partner I know it's a tough job going out there facing the new ball, especially against their attack," Katich said after making a gutsy 83 as Australia reached 9-341 on day one.
"He'd be disappointed how he got out today but he's a quality player and he'll bounce back.
"Whenever you go out to bat there's always pressure because it might be the game situation or it might be your own personal situation.
"But he's been through it all so he knows how to deal with it."
