Matthew Hayden feels Steve Smith shouldn't open in Test cricket
Matthew Hayden, the former Australian cricketer renowned for his opening prowess in Test cricket, has expressed his disapproval of the proposal to assign Steve Smith as an opener. He described this potential shift as "crazy," warning that it could disrupt Australia's batting lineup balance. Hayden expressed his concerns during the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, emphasizing the need to preserve the structure of Australia's top three batting positions in Test matches.
Hayden supports Smith's middle-order position
Hayden backed his stance by highlighting Smith's impressive performance as a middle-order batsman. He stated, "Now, you can't argue with Steven Smith, he is averaging 57 in Test-match cricket with 32 Test-match hundreds." The former opener also pointed out the unique challenges openers face in difficult conditions outside Australia, using Smith's less successful stint as an opener against West Indies and New Zealand as evidence.
Hayden questions decision to change Smith's batting position
Hayden questioned the logic behind moving Smith from his established position, stating, "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 to a completely different position." He further emphasized his belief that opening positions should be filled by players specifically trained for this role through Australia's first-class cricket system.
Hayden acknowledges Warner's contribution and potential replacement
Hayden acknowledged the significant contribution of David Warner to Australian cricket, particularly after his retirement earlier this year. He praised Warner for his competitive spirit and dynamic playstyle, which he believes elevated Australia's top order performance. However, if Smith is moved back down the order, Australia will need to find a new partner for opener Usman Khawaja.
