Cricket World cup 2007 : Stars watch : Matthew Lawrence Hayden

Cricket World cup 2007 : Stars to watch : Matthew Lawrence Hayden

Full name: Matthew Lawrence Hayden
Born: October 29, 1971, Kingaroy, Queensland
Current age: 35 years 122 days
Major teams: Australia, Hampshire, ICC World XI, Northamptonshire, Queensland
Nickname: Haydos
Playing role: Opening batsman
Batting style: Left-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm medium
Height: 1.88 m

Batting

Records	Mat	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
ODI	134	130	14	4840	181*	41.72	7	29	9
ICC World Cup (2003)	11	11	1	328	88	32.80	0	1	0

Strengths

Once considered as World's best test batsman, Mathew Hayden, has been struggling for form offlate. But his recent burst of 181* against New Zealand and some sparkling knocks in the Tri Nation series in Australia have marked his comeback to the Int'l arena. Confidence showed in him by Captain Ponting is helping the team in big way. As Australia once again going in to the World Cup with a settled opening combo of Gilchrist and Hayden.

Hayden's main strength is his temperament. As he has played some of the memorable knocks in test matches, temperament has a big role to play in that. Once he gets in he goes for a big one. Also he scores his runs at brisk pace. He has a very good batting technique. He plays spinners very well. Infact he sweeps spinners to the perfection. Apart from this he is a very good slip fielder and in the final overs he can be a very good outfielder because of his strong arm.

Once sidelined for one dayers, Mathew Hayden has come back strongly. Although Ponting had a big role in his selection but still he has proved Ponting's faith correct through his performance.

Weakness

It is very difficult to find weakness in his batting technique. But sometimes not sure of the deliveries leaving him. He has been dismissed a no of times in the slips. He is working on this and he has been seen leaving the balls that are outside the offstump.

Also the last world cup, he played, was not that fruitful to him as one can expect. And that too when he was in his top notch. Only one fifty in eleven matches does not reflect Hayden's capability. Yes, he has still to prove himself in the big tournaments. And what better oppurtunity he can get, other than the world cup itself.

Oppurtunities

As Australia are the defending champions, and in the past 4 years nobody has been able to match their supremacy (except from the past 3 weeks where England and New Zealand have put some breaks on their Roller Coaster), this World Cup trophy also seems to be going in Cricket Australia's showcase. Hayden has handful of oppurtunities. He is going to open in all of the matches. With some matches with minnows to start with, Hayedn can be destructive by the time tournament reaches its end.

Expectations

As said earlier recent defeats from England and New Zealand has dented Australia's pride. So a stage is set for Hayden to rise up to the occasions as he has done many times in the past. He can be a national hero if he can help Australia to lift the trophy 3rd time in succession. As major playes are either injured or retired, Australia is looknig for resurgence. And who else can provide the better of the same, than a player who has played an innings of 380 in tests i.e. Mathew Hayden. Watch out guys!! Kangaroos are on their way!!!!!!!!!!!