Adiós Hayden....
Matt Hayden.......True Modern day opener.
The only figure that can be imagined with the name Matthew Hayden is the burly, hulky guy with usage of bat like a sword to demolish the opposition bowling & along with it the confidence of bowling side.
Truly dashing opener who formed a formadible pair with Justin Langer, which went on to became most successful opening combination in the history of Test cricket.
First memories of Hayden is nothing but planting the left foot way down the pitch bat coming down from third man & slog sweeping the spinners who were trying to tame him down. It was quite a remarkable shot played with great authority & greater success. It was truly the tour of India by Steve Waugh's invincible in 2001, that announced arrival of Hayden on the world scene. It was in Mumbai, where Hayden just tored the Indian bowling along with Glichrist to put Aussies on the last of their 15 win. It would be fair to say that he was holding the Aussie batting line up together in the whole tour. But that series labled as "Australia caught Laxman Bowled Harbhajan " was truly memorable for Hayden.
For Indians, Hayden has always been a trouble to dislodge. It was not only his batting but also his presence which was truly intimidating for any opposition. Ask the front line bowlers in the world, they will surely vouch for it. Hayden came out as a fierce, strong individual and not willing to give an inch to the opposition. It was only characteristic which has set him apart from many of the world's classy openers. His HATE-TO-LOOSE under any circustances was the key to his aggressive batting. Had Hayden being playing for any other team in the world he would have certainly played longer than he did for Oz team. But thats the long hard way of Australian Domestic cricket.
Barring his last few innings, where Hayden tried too hard to impose himself on the opposition, true to his nature, the strength of him has proved to be his weakness. It was very sad to see Hayden struggling to make a decent contact with ball & was chopping the deliveries on to his stumps. But that was really a small blip in the long career, he would have definately made to Ashes 2009, but chose not to. Once again, his timing of retirement was impeccable. On his own term he retired fittingly in Brisbane.
True modern day opener who has changed the opening batting in Test Cricket.
The only figure that can be imagined with the name Matthew Hayden is the burly, hulky guy with usage of bat like a sword to demolish the opposition bowling & along with it the confidence of bowling side.
Truly dashing opener who formed a formadible pair with Justin Langer, which went on to became most successful opening combination in the history of Test cricket.
First memories of Hayden is nothing but planting the left foot way down the pitch bat coming down from third man & slog sweeping the spinners who were trying to tame him down. It was quite a remarkable shot played with great authority & greater success. It was truly the tour of India by Steve Waugh's invincible in 2001, that announced arrival of Hayden on the world scene. It was in Mumbai, where Hayden just tored the Indian bowling along with Glichrist to put Aussies on the last of their 15 win. It would be fair to say that he was holding the Aussie batting line up together in the whole tour. But that series labled as "Australia caught Laxman Bowled Harbhajan " was truly memorable for Hayden.
For Indians, Hayden has always been a trouble to dislodge. It was not only his batting but also his presence which was truly intimidating for any opposition. Ask the front line bowlers in the world, they will surely vouch for it. Hayden came out as a fierce, strong individual and not willing to give an inch to the opposition. It was only characteristic which has set him apart from many of the world's classy openers. His HATE-TO-LOOSE under any circustances was the key to his aggressive batting. Had Hayden being playing for any other team in the world he would have certainly played longer than he did for Oz team. But thats the long hard way of Australian Domestic cricket.
Barring his last few innings, where Hayden tried too hard to impose himself on the opposition, true to his nature, the strength of him has proved to be his weakness. It was very sad to see Hayden struggling to make a decent contact with ball & was chopping the deliveries on to his stumps. But that was really a small blip in the long career, he would have definately made to Ashes 2009, but chose not to. Once again, his timing of retirement was impeccable. On his own term he retired fittingly in Brisbane.
True modern day opener who has changed the opening batting in Test Cricket.
posted by Yogesh Mahajan's Blog | 7:25 AM
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