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January 4th 2009 @ 3:15am
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Hayden a pain in the bum says Harvey
Former Test great Neil Harvey has joined the chorus calling for Matthew Hayden’s scalp, saying the beleaguered Australian opener is “a pain in the bum”.
Hayden compiled an atypically subdued 31 in the third Test against South Africa on Saturday – scarcely a failure yet certainly not the resounding response needed to quieten critics who say [...]
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LeftArmSpinner said | January 4th 2009 @ 7:11am | Report comment
While I don’t agree with Neil Harvey’s terminology, I fully endorse his sentiment and judgement.
Hayden has shown himself to be selfish and unable to put the team before himself. He is clearly struggling and has been for many tests, and yet, he continues the pretense of talking it up!!!!
And the selectors continue to aquiesce to his behaviour.
Rogers and Katich to open, with Hughes at 6 to blood him. Hodge replaces Hussey so that the latter can have more time to do his cynical commercials and endorsements, oh, and find out where his true love really is, Scotch, Cars, Fast Food or batting for Australia.
Jacques’ return in the near future will keep Rogers and Katich honest.
We need two spin bowlers in the squad, one who turns it away from right handers and one who turns it away from left handers. They need to be able to both tie an end down and bowl wicket taking deliveries. This is a art of bowling. Anything less is substandard and should not be tolerated.
My team would have been for the Sydney test:
1. Rogers
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Hodge
5. Clarke
6. Hughes
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Siddle
11. Bollinger
Bolinger and Hughes would have benefitted from debuting at their home ground in conditions and environment that they are familiar with.
sheek said | January 4th 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I find it intriguing how many players struggling for form never read the papers. But those going well are happy to read about themselves in the papers.
Don’t believe for a moment Hayden isn’t reading the papers, he is. By saying he isn’t reading the papers, it’s an (attempted) put down to his critics.
I also agree with Harvey, who is often quite acerbic about players post his own generation. Hayden should retire with whatever grace remains. Obviously, he’s been taking advice from Gregan – “hang in there until the bums kick you out, & not a minute before”.
Leftie,
We’re all agreed the Aussie selectors should have made more changes for what is effectively a dead test. But I diverge from some of your selections. Perhaps North for Rogers, & Klinger for Hodge/Hussey. Hodge is now too old. I would definitely take Hughes to England. McDonald deserves his opportunity at present.
Spiro Zavos said | January 4th 2009 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
The sports gossip columnists on The Sunday Telegraph claim that Matthew Hayden has no intention of retiring and that he is determined to do a Gregan and stay on for the Ashes Series. If this is true, we can expect the selectors to go along with this, if they follow their current from and pick journeymen rather than brilliant young talent.
Westy said | January 4th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Neil Harvey’s comments if true are unfortunate. They play the man and not the opinion. I to think it is time for Hayden to go.. Make no secret of the fact that opposing teams prized his wicket as highly as Pontings. I have heard Harvey’s opinion of Ponting also. As a batsman i will put Ponting’s record against his anytime and I know which one will be called great.
Rabbitz said | January 5th 2009 @ 6:13am | Report comment
How is 31 runs for a test opener not a failure? Two and a half hours of scratching about giving the bowling side confidence is not a successful innings. But as he is the captains best mate he won’t get punted (sorry I couldn’t resist that pun). Oh well it seems that CA is happy to lose income as the team wallows in the past and attendances and ratings flop.