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 his time at the top level is up.
The 37-year-old Queenslander looked a pale imitation of the batting monster who has brutalised some of the world’s best attacks, though that could be because his place is on the line.
Hayden was at the crease for over two and a half hours, facing 78 balls before his departure left the home side, already 2-0 down in the series, in trouble at 3-109.
“He is a pain in the bum,” Harvey said at a 50th anniversary reunion of the 1958-59 Australian side that regained the Ashes.
“Hayden at 37, what I think what he should do is head on down and say, ‘I have had enough’ and quit.
“I thought he was pathetic today.
“He wasn’t trying to score runs and he had forgotten how to hit the ball, and at his age he is not going to get any better, is he?
“He has been a good player, but he hasn’t been a great player in my opinion.”
Many might disagree, considering Hayden has amassed 8,555 Test runs, at an average of over 50, and his 30 Test centuries have been surpassed by only two Australians, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.
But Hayden has struggled for runs since an Achilles injury sent him home from the West Indies in 2008.
In nine Tests since then – four in India, two at home against New Zealand and the current three-Test series against South Africa – he has scraped together just 344 runs at less than 23.
His five innings against Graeme Smith’s visitors have yielded just 78 runs at less than 16.
Hayden has said he will reassess his position after the current Test match.
If he was seeking answers in the middle on Saturday, however, he is likely to remain uncertain.
When he dragged a full-length ball from Dale Steyn onto his stumps after a scratchy and cautious opening session and a bit, he threw his head back in disappointment.
South Africa’s assistant coach Vinnie Barnes said his players were determined to restrict Hayden’s run-scoring.
“There were a few loose shots from him and a few unusual shots played by him,” Barnes said.
“I think at the moment Matthew is lacking confidence and obviously there is a lot of pressure on him.
“The thing about batting when your confidence is low … we put fielders in positions we felt he is looking to score (in) and just block the runs and it is working.
“His confidence is a bit low and we are making sure he is not getting any big runs.”
Hayden experienced an extended form slump in 2004-05 and, on that occasion, saved his career with a mighty 138 against England at The Oval.
But whether he can pick himself up off the floor again at the age of 37 remains open to question.
If not, his 103rd Test could be his last.
Rabbitz
Guest
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.
Westy
Guest
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.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
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.
sheek
Guest
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.
LeftArmSpinner
Guest
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.