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Matthew Hayden calls it a day

With Langer he formed Australia’s most successful opening pair

— PHOTO: AFP

SECOND INNINGS BEGINS: Matthew Hayden with his wife and children after announcing his retirement at the Gabba on Tuesday.

BRISBANE: One of Australia’s greatest opening batsmen Matthew Hayden called stumps on Tuesday on one of international cricket’s most imposing careers.

The 37-year-old batsman did not go out of the game the way he would have wanted —having to call a press conference to announce his retirement, widely anticipated after his struggling form in Australia’s recent series losses.

Titan

But the powerfully-built Hayden will be remembered as one of the modern-day cricketing titans, amassing 8,625 runs in 103 Tests at an impressive average of 50.73.

His departure further strips the transitional Australian cricket team of another big-name star, following the retirements of celebrated teammates, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist in the last two years.

Only skipper Ricky Ponting remains of the players who twice (from 1999-2001 and 2006-2008) won a record 16 Tests in succession.

“Today I am announcing my retirement from representative cricket effective immediately,” Hayden told the press conference at his home Gabba ground.

“This is a decision that I have not taken lightly and I am here after much thought, consideration and discussion with my family and close friends.

“It is ultimately my decision and I know that now is the time to move on to the next stage of my life and career.”

Poor run

Hayden’s decision comes against the backdrop of meagre returns in Australia’s recent series losses to India and South Africa.

Hayden had been desperately trying to cling onto his spot for a final Ashes series in England in mid-year before retiring from the game.

But the signs were there that he had lost the support of selectors, who left him out of the Twenty20 and one-day teams in the wake of the Test series loss to South Africa.

Hayden’s 380 scored against Zimbabwe in Perth in October 2003 stands second only to West Indian Brian Lara’s world record 400 not out as the highest individual innings in Test cricket. He formed with Justin Langer one of Australia’s more durable opening partnerships in Test cricket.

Langer and Hayden (5,654) ranked second only to legendary West Indian opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (6,482) for most combined runs in Test cricket and shared in 14 opening century-plus stands.

Hayden said he had many things he wanted to focus on in life after cricket.

“Importantly for me, today I am retiring from cricket, not from life,” he said.

“There is still so much that I want to achieve and contribute to the community.”

“I want to use the time now to explore my other passions of fishing, boating, cooking and the outdoors.”

Hayden also said he wanted to help promote cricket among Australia’s indigenous community and to continue his work with the Glenn McGrath Foundation for breast cancer sufferers.

Hayden also played 161 one-day internationals for his country.

He played in two World Cups, in South Africa in 2003 and in the West Indies in 2007.

Tributes

Meanwhile, tributes poured in for Hayden with Cricket Australia (CA) describing the burly left-hander as one of the greatest players ever to pull on a baggy green.

CA Chairman Jack Clarke said in a statement that Hayden was an indispensable part of the most successful chapter of Australian cricket.

“Matthew was one of the greatest ever players to pull on the baggy green,” Clarke said.

Skipper Ponting had no hesitation in declaring Hayden Australia’s greatest opener.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that (he is Australia’s greatest opener). You can even look back through the history books of the game and try and see if there’s ever been a better opening batsman in the game, let alone Australia,” Ponting said.

McGrath also hailed Hayden as a legend of the game and said, “It’s been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate. And to me Matty is a legend of the game.” — Agencies

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