Related Links : Matthew Hayden
The world’s most intimidating opening batsman in the last 8 years or so – Matthew Hayden has announced his retirement from all forms of the game today in Brisbane. Hayden has been a prized wicket for any international team in the last few years. This season though has been a struggle for the big left hander from Queensland and so was for his team which was so used to the thunderous opening starts from him over the years. Matthew Hayden has retired with an astounding average of 50.73 in 103 Tests and an equally good average of 43.80 in 161 ODIs. He had scored 8625 Test runs and 6133 ODI runs.
Matthew Hayden had held the world record for the highest test score that of 380 for sometime before it was surpassed by Brian Lara. It was quite an inspiring career for Hayden who had made his international debut in 1993 but his career could only get going in 2000/01 in a series against India. Hayden had stiff competition from Mark Taylor, Michael Slater, Greg Blewett and Justin Langer for the opening slot during the initial stages of his career. His real international career started only during the millennium and although he was 30+, it didn’t matter for Hayden in the sheer volume of runs that he would go onto make. Hayden has finished with as many as 30 Test hundreds and 10 ODI hundreds. His highest score in ODIs is 181 not out which came against New Zealand. All the new bowlers in world cricket will now have a great relief of getting to bowl against this imposing opening batsman.