(This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2009)
Many times in the past, Mathew Hayden was a nightmare for the opponent bowlers while batting with the grace and aggression. Hayden’s wicket was always something special for any bowler because his presence in the wicket was always a constant threat for any team. However, when this hard-hitting Australian batsman announced his retirement from international cricket today, I guess no bowler in the world could escape the feeling of a sadness of missing this great batsman from international cricket.
Mathew Hayden was going though a bad patch of time over the last few months. It was perhaps his recent poor form in the lost home test series against South Africa that led him to reach this decision. The decision of the Australian selectors to drop Mathew Hayden from the Twenty20 and ODI squad for the South Africa series also helped him to feel that it was time to say goodbye to his beloved game, rejecting his daughter Grace’s urge to continue the career till another Christmas.
Mathew Hayden is undoubtedly one of the greatest Australian cricketers who had invaluable contributions to Australia’s success during his illustrious career. The hard-hitter batsman scored 8625 runs at an outstanding average of 50.73 from 103 test matches with 30 centuries including the record-breaking innings of 380. From 161 ODI matches, Hayden scored 6133 runs at an average of 43.80 with 10 centuries including his highest innings of 181 not out. Playing 9 Twenty20 matches, this tall batsman managed 308 runs at 51.33 with 4 half-centuries.
Following his drop from Twenty20 and ODI cricket, many thought that Mathew Hayden might stretch his career up to Ashes 2009 series. However, the Queenslander felt it was time to step down and put an end to a glorious career during which he helped Australia to win the 2003 and 2007 World Cup. I personally can still remember the innings Hayden played in the final of 2003 world cup against India, thrashing the well-balanced Indian bowling line up. Hayden has left the ground, but I am sure, he will be remember among the cricket fans for many years as a dashing, stylish and aggressive opener who was merciless to destroy any bowling line up in his day.
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