In a significant development for Australian cricket, former cricketer Matthew Hayden has expressed his belief that the absence of David Warner will be keenly felt during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled for later this year. Warner, an iconic figure in Australian cricket, recently retired from international cricket. With 112 Tests under his belt, Warner has amassed 8786 runs at an impressive average close to 45.
“For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure,” remarked Hayden, who himself is a celebrated former left-handed opener. On Wednesday, Hayden emphasized Warner’s invaluable contribution to the team. “David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I’d created through the 2000s. His strike rates in excess of 80 gave great momentum to the top order, which, otherwise, is quite conservative. So I think he’s an enormous loss in terms of how you replace that dynamism.”
Warner’s performances against India are also notable. He has played 21 Tests against India, scoring 1218 runs at an average of 31.23. His four centuries in these matches have all come in Australia, where he has compiled 760 runs in 10 Tests.
The challenges of replacing Warner are compounded by strategic decisions regarding top-order batting. Hayden, currently in Mumbai for the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards, criticized the idea of using Steve Smith as an opener. “The rationale that George Bailey, the chief selector, gave was correct. He thought it was about choosing his best top six players. You can’t argue with that – Steve Smith averages 65 and has 30 Test match hundreds. But the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different. It didn’t take long to discover that [in New Zealand earlier this year when Smith as an opener was not exactly a success].
. I said at the time that I didn’t like the change and I still think it’s crazy to have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position then change it completely.”
Additionally, Hayden shared his high regard for current captain Pat Cummins, foreseeing a prestigious future for him as one of Australia’s greatest captains. “He’s a great of our game,” Hayden praised. Cummins has already led the team to victory in both the World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC). “He has a very special leadership style and ability, different from former Australian captains who followed a more traditional carrot-and-stick approach. Pat operates on a model that focuses on bringing out the individuals’ preparation, something in which our game struggles, given that it is a team sport. Ultimately, it’s about how you get the best out of an individual. He has a slightly off-centre approach. I’ve followed this team very closely over the last two years, and they’re an extremely close team. Pat is a great leader, and he will go down as one of our greats.”
On the subject of the Border-Gavaskar series itself, Hayden expressed his anticipation for a thrilling contest. “It’s going to be an unbelievable series,” he said, “and even more special by extending it to five Test matches. In three Tests, you always feel half complete; in four, there’s always that unstable boat, whereas in five Tests, you’ve got a chance to win, lose, and then come back to win. I love it. It’s going to be a great series.”
The upcoming series between Australia and India will be the first five-Test series since 1991/92, beginning in Perth on November 22. The tour will continue with matches in Adelaide starting December 6, Brisbane from December 14, Melbourne on December 26, and Sydney beginning January 3. India has triumphed in the last two series held in Australia, in 2018/19 and 2020/21, while Australia has not secured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since their home series win in 2014/15.
Coming into a series where the stakes are traditionally sky-high, Australia will face the dual challenge of filling the immense void left by Warner while also strategizing effectively in a highly competitive and anticipated five-match showdown against India. The loss of an aggressive and consistent opener like Warner complicates matters considerably for the Australian side, making it all the more intriguing to see who will step up to the plate and how the dynamics of the team evolve as they prepare for this critical series.