Bullish to the end, Matthew Hayden claimed he had “zero fear” of being dropped by national selectors and believed he could have played another Ashes series.
But just moments after announcing his retirement at Brisbane on Tuesday, the 37-year-old was just as passionate about the prospects of a rebuilding Australia.
However, as the likes of NSW openers Phil Jaques and Phil Hughes licked their lips in anticipation, Hayden wouldn’t give any hints on who could step out of his daunting shadow at the top of the Australian order.
Hayden’s decision to end a glittering 103-Test career further depletes an Australian side ahead of two of their toughest tours – South Africa and England.
But Hayden said he was convinced he could leave the Australian team in good hands after celebrating what became his swansong – their third Test victory over South Africa at Sydney.
He said simply speaking to excited paceman Peter Siddle in the SCG dressing sheds after the gutsy win showed that the “culture of the baggy green” was still strong.
“Knowing how much he has got the passion and the dream of playing cricket for his country – that’s a very, very special thing to harness,” Hayden said.
“The culture of the baggy green….that’s what has given us the edge.
“We have been through some difficult times over the past months, but I know the strength of character and the pure desire to play for your country…is what is going to make this side stronger than ever.”
Jaques is the bookmaker’s favourite to step up in Hayden’s absence but his NSW teammate, 20-year-old Hughes can’t be ruled out after another stellar summer.
If Hayden had a replacement in mind, he wasn’t letting on.
“I can’t win one way or another,” he said.
“(But) I am sure those guys who have the potential to play for Australia will be in the nets now trying to work out their game so that they can play.”
The writing appeared to be on the wall for the veteran opener after being omitted from the national one-day and Twenty20 squads and failing to pass 50 in the last two Test series.
In the end, Hayden confirmed his retirement at a packed Brisbane press conference after mulling over the future with his family.
“There is absolutely no fear (about the future) and the reason why I say that is because I have zero regrets,” he said.
“I’ve tried to rightly or wrongly tried to extract every ounce of whatever ability I have been given and turning it into performance.”
However, Hayden said he could have played in Australia’s Ashes defence in England later this year.
“I had absolutely zero fear of my position within the cricket team,” Hayden said.
“I believe I would be going on that (Ashes) tour and fulfilling that dream (if I wanted) – this is the point where I want to step off.
“I desperately want to continue my support for that (Ashes) but as a player I feel like I have contributed all I can.
“This is the seventh or eighth time where I have been at a crossroads in my career, whether it be in one day internationals or Test match cricket.
“But on reflection I have made the correct decision for the boys moving forward.”
But Hayden hinted that his legendary iron will may have been waning as he faced yet another career crisis.
“I always felt that if I had the desire to keep playing good cricket for Australia that I would have to, in the next month, enjoy the nets and to have the spirit and energy to actually fight,” he said.
“When someone comes to you and says ‘mate, we want to move on’, I think within your heart, if you are ready to do that, then it’s a whole lot less of an issue.
“And that happened to me recently with one day cricket and Twenty20 cricket.
“I know I can present a good game at that level but I was ready to move on.
“(But) Test cricket I really did need to take that time to come out of the bubble, and just look at other areas of my life, other areas of opportunity.”
Hayden said batting with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and his beloved former Test opening partner Justin Langer had taught him more than just how to play great cricket.
“They have been significant partnerships of life. They have taught me the value of great character, of strength, and of companionship,” he said.
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