Australia batsman Matthew Hayden leaves the ground - AAP Image/Paul Miller
Cricket Australia’s Big Bash revolution has taken an unfortunate step backwards with the signing of Matthew Hayden to the Brisbane Heat.
Undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest batsmen, Hayden is beginning to resemble the middle-aged boxer making yet another comeback, or worse still, Farnsy on one more ‘farewell’ tour.
Most recently dropped by the Chennai Super Kings after five consecutive scores under 20, the 39-year-old’s return not only has the potential to diminish his personal legacy, but is also a contradiction to the Big Bash’s mantra of developing new teams and new fans in new frontiers.
Put simply, the Heat’s signing of current T20 stars Brendan McCullum, Daniel Vettori and Daniel Christian from overseas or interstate make sense, and mixed with local talent the team has the potential to win games and put bums on seats.
If Hayden, as he intends, becomes a part-owner of the Heat franchise, the interesting dilemma could arise where someone has to tell the guy paying the bills that he can now do that from the sidelines.
I hope that happens sooner rather than later, as the credibility of the league, and ironically the success of Hayden’s investment, depends on it.
As Hayden attests, T20 has moved on from its early days as a novelty (remember Andrew Johns playing for NSW), and in that light, Hayden should move on, too.
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