Test great Matthew Hayden says he would happily put his hand up to help Australia solve their batting woes in India if asked – and he would do it for nothing.
The former champion opener is in India commentating on the series for host broadcaster Star Sports but has had no formal involvement with the side despite his history of team and individual success in this part of the world.
Matthew Hayden is in India commentating on the Test series.Credit:Getty Images
Hayden had been unhappy with the players in the immediate aftermath of his best friend Justin Langer’s departure as coach last year, but said he had long moved on.
“It’s got zero relevance,” Hayden told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m so far removed from the process of how that went on.”
Former captain Michael Clarke has called for Australia to use the expertise of Hayden, who came of age in the epic 2001 tour when he averaged 110, and was also part of the 2004 Adam Gilchrist-led team – the only Australia side to win a Test series here since 1969.
Down 2-0, Australia cannot reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it would be a considerable achievement if they won the final two Tests and drew the series. It would emulate the feat of Allan Border’s side on the 1986 tour, renowned for the late Dean Jones’ heroic double-century in the tied Test in Chennai.
Hayden wants to help Australia’s struggling batting line-up, which swept its way to defeat during a bewildering collapse on Sunday.
“One hundred per cent, at any time of the day or night, it is a given that myself – and I’m sure I speak for anyone else that I represent that would have that kind of influence – would 100 per cent be in,” Hayden said.
“Any time I have been asked to do anything I’ve always said yes at any time of day.”
He said he would “definitely not” charge Cricket Australia for his time but wanted the governing body to give current players access to the previous generation.
At his peak: Matthew Hayden in 2001. Credit:Darren England/ALLSPORT
He pointed out India batter Shreyas Iyer’s close relationship with Ricky Ponting during their time together at IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, and Matthew Mott’s role in England’s Twenty20 World Cup triumph to highlight how other countries are using the best of Australia’s coaching talent.
“You can’t alienate them,” Hayden said. “If you want the creme de la creme, the very least you can do is respect them. There should be a system if you’re in the CA role, how do we get the intellectual property in our players? That’s the key.”
He recalled a pitch he made during his playing days to former cricket legend Richie Benaud for him to speak to the team.
“You’d run into Richie Benaud on the plane, and you’d say ‘you’d love to have him in the change rooms. I know you like to drink a nice glass of burgundy, I’ll get that in, we’ll do this, we’ll do that,’” Hayden said.
“You can ask, it’s the same principle. Ask, and we did. Even though that didn’t happen it doesn’t take much to develop relationships.”
Hayden said he sympathised with coach Andrew McDonald’s task, as teams no longer have the time for extensive preparation for tours. McDonald has stood by the side’s lead-in.
“It’s not possible because a week before we came over here everyone was screaming bloody murder about their superstars not playing the Big Bash League – and yet they’ve got a Test match nine days later,” Hayden said.
“This is where I really don’t envy the role of Andrew McDonald. He has to work out what is the priority in terms of his playing group of which he has zero per cent control over a two-month period because of IPL.
“Part of that tenure would be, ‘what do we want to win fellas?’ Because if it’s India we know what it takes to win there.”
McDonald has said he would be open to Hayden coming into the fold if players wanted to use him on top of their existing coaching staff.
“If Matthew can add value to individual players, I’m sure those individual players would definitely engage in a conversation with him,” McDonald said.
Under pressure: Australia coach Andrew McDonald and vice-captain Steve Smith.Credit:Getty Images
McDonald, though, could not resist a cheeky backhander to Hayden for his criticism of the team’s overuse of the sweep shot. Hayden had used a broom in a Star Sports segment to colourfully make the point.
“Did he succeed sweeping as well?” McDonald said. “Just throwing the question out there as well.”
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