'My career hasn't always been on an even keel' – Hayden
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More than a year after he last wore green and gold, Matthew Hayden returnsto the one-day arena on Monday, desperate to further his chances ofclinching a place on the flight to the World Cup next March. AdamGilchrist should take one of the opening slots, and Hayden is just one ofmany contenders for the other. In recent times, Australia have tried outthe likes of Phil Jaques and Shane Watson at the top of the order, whileMark Cosgrove, the exciting new boy from South Australia, also enjoyed astellar ING Cup season while playing as opener.Hayden, though, is just happy to be back. “It’s been a long time since Iplayed one-day cricket for Australia,” he said, talking to the media atthe team hotel. “I’d like to think that performances in Test cricket haveprobably led me to this position. Like the selectors, I’ve got short-termand long-term goals. The short-term goal is obviously to play well in thenext two games, and then have wonderful preparation up to the Ashes.”Though he can expect to get two or three games here, Hayden is not part ofthe squad for the Champions Trophy, despite averaging 40.10 from 119games. But while admitting that he was disappointed to miss out on anotherIndian adventure, he said that his fate was indicative of the greatstrength in depth that Australia possess. “My career hasn’t always been onan even keel,” he said. “I’ve always had to fight hard for my position,and that’s the great strength of this wonderful side, the fact thateveryone puts themselves in a position every day to be the best cricketerthey can be. Over, the years, I’ve done that. I’ve promised the selectorsruns, in all forms of the game, right from club cricket.”The reason Australian cricket is so strong is because blokes like me aresitting on the fringe after having played 120 games of one-day cricket,and still looking to play, still looking to train hard and perform everygame. Now, if a senior player can be in that position, what’s that sayingto a junior player?”Hayden would also have been reassured by the vote of confidence fromAndrew Hilditch, chairman of the national selection panel. “The reasonMatthew’s here is because he’s very much in the mix for our one-daythoughts,” Hilditch said. “We’ve got the VB Series coming up, and theWorld Cup. Matthew doesn’t have to prove himself. He’s a great player.”
| The reason Australian cricket is so strong is because blokes like me aresitting on the fringe after having played 120 games of one-day cricket,and still looking to play, still looking to train hard and perform everygame |
The tremendous tussle for opening slots, he suggested, was in keeping withthe flexibility that has been a hallmark of Australian sides in the recentpast. “We have the ability as a batting line-up to bat players anywhere inthe order,” he said. “Michael [Hussey] is an opener. Ricky [Ponting] canbat anywhere he wants. Marto’s [Damien Martyn] the same. So’s Simmo [Andrew Symonds].”He was also full of praise for his Queensland team-mate, Shane Watson, whoflayed the Indian attack for 79 from just 74 balls when promoted to openyesterday. “Shane’s done some remarkable things with his game in theoff-season,” he said. “He’s more or less transformed the way he stands atthe crease, and I think that’s going to give him a huge advantage. He’sobviously physically exceptional. He should be on Manpower [an Australia male review], not on acricket field,” he laughed. “He’s a great example of a young cricketer whoworks really hard, has discipline, and looks to improve at everyopportunity. I thought he batted beautifully yesterday.”And after Shane Warne’s alleged remarks about John Buchanan caused quite astir in the run-up to the India game, it was fairly evident that the squadhad decided to close ranks on the matter. When asked about his views onthe situation, Hayden was content to say: “I haven’t read the transcripts,and we all know that the English press love to beat a story up. Till I getto the bottom of what the comments were, I don’t think there’s any directproblem between Shane and John.”The Australian team management may have arrived here with the aim oftrying out some new talent, and with one eye on fine-tuning strategiesbefore the Champions Trophy, but for Hayden, the coming week is a hugeone. Fail here, and his one-day career might just be over. But if he canintimidate the bowlers and bludgeon some big runs, the Caribbean dreamwill remain alive.