Matthew Hayden, the former Australian cricketing stalwart, has cast a spotlight on the palpable void that David Warner’s retirement has left in the Australian lineup for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Known for his aggressive batting style and remarkable consistency, Warner was a cornerstone of the Australian squad with 8786 runs in 112 Test matches at an impressive average close to 45. His recent retirement from international cricket has sent ripples through the cricketing community, sparking widespread speculation about how the team will compensate for his absence.
“For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure,” said Hayden, a hard-hitting left-handed opener himself, when commenting on the altered dynamics of the team. He went on to praise Warner’s immense contribution to Australian cricket, highlighting his combative spirit and dynamic playing style. Warner’s strike rate of 70.19, significantly higher than most in the top order, often gave Australia the momentum it needed to seize control early in the innings.
“David Warner gave great service to Australian cricket. He was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I’d created through the 2000s,” Hayden remarked. “So I think he’s an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace them.”
Against India, Warner’s performance has been no less stellar. In 21 Test matches against the subcontinental giants, he scored 1218 runs, averaging 31.23, including four centuries. However, all of his centuries came on home soil, piling up a notable 760 runs in just 10 Tests in Australia. His prowess and experience against a formidable opponent like India will undoubtedly be missed in the upcoming series.
Speaking on a more tactical note during the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, Hayden openly opposed the notion of using Steve Smith as an opener, an idea floated by Australian selectors. “The rationale that George Bailey [chief selector] gave was correct. He thought it was about choosing the best top six players, batsman,” he said.
While acknowledging Smith’s outstanding average of 56.97 and his 32 Test centuries, Hayden cautioned against changing his batting position. “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 in the year when Smith as an opener was not exactly a success].
. I said at the time that I didn’t like the change. I think it’s crazy to think that you have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position and then you change it to a completely different position.”
Hayden didn’t hold back in expressing his admiration for Pat Cummins, whom he believes will be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest captains. “He’s a great of our game,” he said of Cummins, who has led Australia to World Cup and World Test Championship (WTC) victories. “He has a very special leadership style and ability. It’s very different from the former kind of captains of the Australian team that were very much a carrot and stick type approach.”
Hayden elaborated on Cummins’ unique leadership qualities, highlighting his ability to get the best out of his players. “He’s operating on a model that’s bringing out the individuals’ preparation in particular, something in which I think our game struggles, being a team sport. Ultimately, [it’s] how you get the best out of an individual. He has a slightly off-centre approach. I followed this team now 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.”
Anticipating the forthcoming series, Hayden expressed his excitement over the prospect of a five-Test series against India, a rarity since 1991/92. “It’s going to be an unbelievable series and actually not without great minds coming together. It is even more special by extending it to five Test matches. In three Test matches you always feel half pregnant; in four Test matches there’s always that swinging boat whereas in five Test matches, you got a chance to win. You also get a chance to lose and then you get a chance to come back and win. I love it. It’s going to be a great series.”
The much-anticipated series is poised to kick off in Perth on November 22, continuing through Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and concluding in Sydney by early January. Notably, India has had the upper hand in the last two series in Australia, in 2018/19 and 2020/21. Australia has not held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since their home series victory in 2014/15, adding an extra layer of significance and anticipation to this upcoming face-off.