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Matthew Hayden’s former teammates have commended the retired Australian opener for his decision to bow out on his terms after a difficult season with the bat.
Hayden, 37, said on Tuesday he was capable of touring England later this year despite calls for his axing after his previous nine Tests yielded just 383 runs at 23.93.
Instead, he said now was his time to leave the game after almost two decades as a first-class player, a veteran of 103 Tests, two World Cup triumphs and the one-time holder of Test cricket’s highest individual score.
Former batsman Mark Waugh said the timing of the decision was the right, as it opened the opening position up to younger players.
“He’s a great player and a loss to the game and Matthew Hayden’s record shows that he was a great player,” Waugh told Fox Sports.
“It’s come to an end today and while it’s very disappointing we won’t see him again in Australian colours, it’s a good time to reflect on how good a player he was.
“I don’t want to see him struggle the way he’s been struggling the last six months.
“He’s done it at the right time, he’s got out and let someone else take his spot at a time when there’s a lot of good young players around as well.”
Hayden’s former opening partner Justin Langer became emotional when his mate telephoned with the news, but knew Hayden would have given the decision the suitable deliberation.
Langer said Hayden’s omission from Australia’s one-day squad would have been the catalyst for his decision to retire.
“I think it’s a good decision,” Langer said.
“Physically, he could have gone on and he could have easily moved himself into the runs that we’ve expected, I have absolutely no doubt about that.
“But is it the right decision? Yeah, of course it’s the right decision because he’s made it.”
Fast bowling great Glenn McGrath said Hayden had nothing left to prove, and wished him well in the next stage of his life.
“It’s been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate,” McGrath said.
“And to me Matty is a legend of the game; he’s got nothing left to prove.
“His career stands alone.”
Former teammate David Boon batted with Hayden in the Queenslander’s debut innings, and hailed him one of the country’s greatest players of the modern era.
But Boon, one of Australia’s four-man selection panel, declined to comment on the timing of his decision to part, although he said the occasion was a sad one.
Current Australian Test players Simon Katich and Mike Hussey were honoured to have played alongside Hayden.
Hayden will be farewelled at the Gabba on Tuesday night during the innings break of the second Twenty20 match between Australia and South Africa.
Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke said Hayden was one of the greatest players to have worn the baggy green cap.
“To open the batting with an average over 50 in 103 Test matches puts him among the all-time greats of the game,” he said.
“Matthew was an integral part of the most successful era in Australian cricket history.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said there was “no doubt” the big left-hander was the country’s greatest ever opener.
“You can even look through the history books and try and see if there has been a better opening batsman in the game let alone Australia,” Ponting said.
During his press conference, Hayden expressed a willingness to continue working with the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA), where he has been involved with the organisation’s executive for seven years.
“He has been a driving force on the executive with strong and often visionary views on the current state and future of our great game,” said ACA chief executive Paul Marsh.
“Matthew is a man of great integrity and personally he has been an invaluable mentor to me.
“I look forward to this continuing post his cricket career.”
ACA chairman Darren Lehmann also congratulated Hayden on his career achievements and was hopeful his friend would stay involved in the game.
Queensland Cricket hailed Hayden as one of the state’s sporting legends and an inspiration who commanded the state’s respect and admiration.
“Matthew is an unashamedly proud Queenslander and I’m sure he bleeds maroon,” said chief executive Graham Dixon.
“As he said himself, Matthew worked desperately to squeeze every ounce of ability out of himself, while constantly working on enhancing a team fabric that would hold strong for future generations.”
“The results are clear for all to see.
“He was part of Queensland’s first-ever Sheffield Shield-winning team, which laid the platform for a golden age, and reigned supreme as the world’s premier opening batsman as Australia dominated world cricket.”
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