Matthew Hayden, the esteemed former Australian opener, has expressed his belief that Australia will deeply miss the dynamism and consistency of David Warner in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Warner, a stalwart of Australian cricket, recently announced his retirement from international cricket after a stellar career that spanned 112 Test matches, during which he amassed 8786 runs at an impressive average close to 45.
“For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure,” Hayden remarked on Wednesday, pointing out the void Warner’s absence will create. “David Warner gave fantastic service to Australian cricket. He was extremely competitive and wonderfully dynamic. He truly built on the legacy I created in the 2000s. His remarkable strike rates, often exceeding 80 (70.19), provided significant momentum to the top order, which is predominantly conservative otherwise. His departure is a massive loss—replacing him is going to be challenging.”
Warner’s track record against India is notable. He has played 21 Tests against India, scoring 1218 runs at an average of 31.23, which includes four centuries. All of these centuries came on Australian soil, where he accumulated 760 runs in 10 Tests.
Speaking from Mumbai, where he was attending the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards, Hayden voiced his opposition to the idea of Steve Smith opening the batting for Australia. He elaborated, “The rationale given by George Bailey, our chief selector, was logical. He mentioned that it was about choosing the best top six players. You can’t argue with that. Steve Smith averages 65 (56.97) and has scored 30 (32) Test centuries. However, the role of an opening batsman is very different from that of a middle-order batsman. We saw this earlier in the year against New Zealand, where Smith as an opener wasn’t particularly successful.
. I expressed my reservations then and still believe it’s ill-advised to move one of the world’s best batsmen to a completely different position.”
On the leadership front, Hayden foresees Pat Cummins emerging as one of Australia’s greatest captains. “He’s a legend of our game,” Hayden said of Cummins, who has already led his team to World Cup and World Test Championship (WTC) victories. “He possesses a unique leadership style and capability, distinct from the traditional carrot-and-stick approach of former Australian captains. Pat employs a model that enhances individual preparation, an aspect where team sports often struggle. Ultimately, his method aims to optimize individual performance, ensuring the best outcome. Over the past two years, I’ve closely followed this team, and they are incredibly cohesive. Pat is a fantastic leader and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greats.”
Hayden also expressed his excitement at the prospect of a five-Test series against India, as opposed to the usual three or four matches. “It’s going to be an unbelievable series and even more special with the extension to five Test matches. A three-Test series often feels incomplete, and in four matches, there’s generally uncertainty. By having five Test matches, both teams get ample opportunities to win, lose, and recover. I love the format. It’s going to be a spectacular series.”
Australia and India haven’t contested a five-Test series since the 1991/92 season. The much-anticipated series will kick off in Perth on November 22, followed by Tests in Adelaide (from December 6), Brisbane (from December 14), Melbourne (from December 26), and concluding in Sydney (from January 3). India has won the last two series in Australia, triumphing in 2018/19 and 2020/21. Australia last held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy over a decade ago, in the home series of 2014/15.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the commencement of this historic series, Hayden’s insights underscore the challenges facing the Australian team in the post-Warner era. The absence of Warner’s explosive batting at the top of the order, coupled with the strategic concerns over player positions and leadership, presents a complex tapestry that the Aussies must navigate to reclaim the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy.