Oracle of DelphiHayden's redemption continues
March 28th 2007 07:31
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Australian opener Matthew Hayden has been at his best, most dominating form in the world cup in the Caribbean. The bulky Queenslander was no certainty at the beginning of the Aussie summer to be included in the one-day side, but his selection has now been justified.
Hayden carted the Windies bowling, decimating 158 following up the quickest ever world cup ton against South Africa on Saturday. Against the talented Proteas attack, the opener scored the century off just 66 balls, reliving memories of past glories.
In the Caribbean, Hayden has been his brash, bullying self- a trait which saw him become the best batsman in the world between 2001-03. After his disastrous loss of form in the infamous 2005 Ashes series, it seemed the Queenslander’s international career was heading towards a close.
However a century in the fifth and final test at the Oval resurrected his test fortunes. Hayden’s test form was brilliant in the home summer of 2005/06 against the ICC world XI, West Indies and South Africa, where he reeled off five hundreds in seven matches.
Whereas his test spot was secure, his one-day career was far from it. After the Ashes, Hayden was dropped from the one-day squad and his career in the shorter form seemed over. He missed the next 28 matches, as the selectors tinkered with a range of possibilities including Simon Katich, Phil Jacques and Shane Watson.
After the Aussies long hiatus following their tour of Bangladesh last April, a World Cup berth seemed a possibility as Hayden was selected in the squad for the tournament in Malaysia.
However Hayden was unable to recapture his past form in the couple of matches he played and was subsequently dropped for the Champions trophy in November. It seemed as if his one-day career and chance to add to his 2003 world cup glory was all over.
Watson’s impressive form as opener in the Champions trophy seemed to end the debate. As opener, the young all-rounder gave the Aussies far more options than Hayden- who only has one string to his bow.
But on the eve of the first Ashes test, Watson obtained a serious hamstring injury- which prevented him from international action for the home summer. Hayden was recalled back into the one-day team for the CB series and after some shaky moments, rediscovering his limited overs game, Hayden’s world cup spot was secure.
The doubters were still there but his Aussie record of 181 against New Zealand silenced the knockers. Hayden has been the unexpected star in a team of superstars at the cup. The 35-year-old has had a brilliant but rocky journey, through 13 years at international level.
Leading his country to a hat-trick of world cup victories may prove to be Hayden’s most unexpected but sweetest moment yet.
Hayden carted the Windies bowling, decimating 158 following up the quickest ever world cup ton against South Africa on Saturday. Against the talented Proteas attack, the opener scored the century off just 66 balls, reliving memories of past glories.
In the Caribbean, Hayden has been his brash, bullying self- a trait which saw him become the best batsman in the world between 2001-03. After his disastrous loss of form in the infamous 2005 Ashes series, it seemed the Queenslander’s international career was heading towards a close.
However a century in the fifth and final test at the Oval resurrected his test fortunes. Hayden’s test form was brilliant in the home summer of 2005/06 against the ICC world XI, West Indies and South Africa, where he reeled off five hundreds in seven matches.
Whereas his test spot was secure, his one-day career was far from it. After the Ashes, Hayden was dropped from the one-day squad and his career in the shorter form seemed over. He missed the next 28 matches, as the selectors tinkered with a range of possibilities including Simon Katich, Phil Jacques and Shane Watson.
After the Aussies long hiatus following their tour of Bangladesh last April, a World Cup berth seemed a possibility as Hayden was selected in the squad for the tournament in Malaysia.
However Hayden was unable to recapture his past form in the couple of matches he played and was subsequently dropped for the Champions trophy in November. It seemed as if his one-day career and chance to add to his 2003 world cup glory was all over.
(Back to his best)
Watson’s impressive form as opener in the Champions trophy seemed to end the debate. As opener, the young all-rounder gave the Aussies far more options than Hayden- who only has one string to his bow.
But on the eve of the first Ashes test, Watson obtained a serious hamstring injury- which prevented him from international action for the home summer. Hayden was recalled back into the one-day team for the CB series and after some shaky moments, rediscovering his limited overs game, Hayden’s world cup spot was secure.
The doubters were still there but his Aussie record of 181 against New Zealand silenced the knockers. Hayden has been the unexpected star in a team of superstars at the cup. The 35-year-old has had a brilliant but rocky journey, through 13 years at international level.
Leading his country to a hat-trick of world cup victories may prove to be Hayden’s most unexpected but sweetest moment yet.
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