The OZgolf cricket debates: Matthew Hayden

[AndyP]

Where do we stand with Matt the Bat?

He is in some seriously poor form.

Has he ever really been suited to the one-day game? He was only picked for the one-day side in the first place, because of outstanding test cricket form.
Last night he had a big opportunity to make a score, and he still stuffed it up.

I don't think he should be dropped yet, as he has earnt a bit of a form slump (unlike others), but he can't keep failing like this for too much longer (but you wouldn't know with the Aust selectors).
We have already seen that Clarke is very capable of opening the batting.

[Jarro]

i can't see him being dropped. He still is a very good cricketer.. he's just going thru a from slump, as all players do.

If we dropped every player that went thru a rough patch, nobody in the current side would still be there.

[3oneday]

Where do we stand with Matt the Bat?

He is in some seriously poor form.

Has he ever really been suited to the one-day game? He was only picked for the one-day side in the first place, because of outstanding test cricket form.
Last night he had a big opportunity to make a score, and he still stuffed it up.

I don't think he should be dropped yet, as he has earnt a bit of a form slump (unlike others), but he can't keep failing like this for too much longer (but you wouldn't know with the Aust selectors).
We have already seen that Clarke is very capable of opening the batting.

Andippy, seriously, can you call for his head and demand that he be dropped......

This is the only way he will score some runs, work your magic son

[Bruce]

He will be retained in the 'rotation' but short of a turnaround, his opportunities will dwindle gradually. I am prepared to bet that he won't be part of the 2007 World Cup squad right now.

Hayden moved in when Mark Waugh retired/was-dropped and I think Golden Boy has shown that he will fill that role nicely. (notwithstanding the debacle of the last 5 overs last night being nursed to his ton by both Punter *and* the Pakis)

[Fishman Dan]

Hayden moved in when Mark Waugh retired/was-dropped and I think Golden Boy has shown that he will fill that role nicely. (notwithstanding the debacle of the last 5 overs last night being nursed to his ton by both Punter *and* the Pakis)

You are a very bitter man. Saucer of milk anyone

Yep, he was nursed to his ton (by the Paki's?) - and why not? We still won with 15 overs on the board.

They'll stick with Matt the Bat, but Clarke has proven beyond any doubt that he deserves an openers spot - if not now then in the near future. Clarke is currently batting too low however, and batting 1 spot below Crusty the Clown has to change (and will, no doubt).

[McMw]

as long as they keep on winning, don't think much will be done...

but if this poor form continues in the ODI, it'll creep into his Test Match form, and that would be a big concern for the selectors...

do we really need Hayden in the ODI team??? don't think so...

[Fishman Dan]

do we really need Hayden in the ODI team??? don't think so...

I agree - he's as good as any when he's going, but he's in a poor run of outs. The Gilchrist / Clarke combination could be the goods.... and they're both NSW'men

I predict we'll see Hayden pulled out of the ODI team so he can continue to focus on his Test batting, as well as provide the longevity to stay fit.

[AndyP]

Andippy, seriously, can you call for his head and demand that he be dropped......

This is the only way he will score some runs, work your magic son

Sorry, not quite ready to do that yet.

[AndyP]

The Gilchrist / Clarke combination could be the goods.... and they're both NSW'men

Let me guess. Katich to come in to the side for Hayden.

Actually are you claiming Katich as a NSWelshman?

[Fishman Dan]

The Gilchrist / Clarke combination could be the goods.... and they're both NSW'men

Let me guess. Katich to come in to the side for Hayden.

Actually are you claiming Katich as a NSWelshman?

[AndyP]

The Gilchrist / Clarke combination could be the goods.... and they're both NSW'men

Let me guess. Katich to come in to the side for Hayden.

Actually are you claiming Katich as a NSWelshman?

Well, doesn't the success of the Australian team depend on having as many players from NSW in the side as possible?

[Bruce]

Hayden moved in when Mark Waugh retired/was-dropped and I think Golden Boy has shown that he will fill that role nicely. (notwithstanding the debacle of the last 5 overs last night being nursed to his ton by both Punter *and* the Pakis)

You are a very bitter man. Saucer of milk anyone

Yep, he was nursed to his ton (by the Paki's?) - and why not? We still won with 15 overs on the board.

They'll stick with Matt the Bat, but Clarke has proven beyond any doubt that he deserves an openers spot - if not now then in the near future. Clarke is currently batting too low however, and batting 1 spot below Crusty the Clown has to change (and will, no doubt).

Did I really sound bitter?

Golden Boy is ready to open right here, right now, and *will* be opening the innings in 2007. Hayden needs to find something else or he will find himself in a managed exit strategy.

And I rated the Pakis as complacent in getting Clarke to the ton for both the dropped catch on 97, which would have been a bad miss in park cricket, and for the lazy captaincy that saw very clearly what was happening but didn't act to try and change things. Inzy just let the game meander along - like always.
My biggest problem was that the last 5 runs kind of overshadowed the previous 95 which were just awesome. The boy can bat.

[CobraSS]

I would have deliberately bowled a wide so he didn't get his 100, but that's just me

[Bruce]

Exactly Cobra - or at least something to make things interesting.

Here's a hypothetical idea. I think at one point Clarke needed 5 of the last 7 runs. So perhaps the bowler 'slips' and sends down a rank ball a mile wide of leg stump that goes for 4 wides. Clarke now needs 5 of the last 2 runs and must hit a boundary if he wants the ton. The field is then placed to stop the 4 rather than the stupid point of bringing everyone in to stop the last single with 15 overs still remaining and Clarke only needing to pierce the field for the 100. He can have the single and still win the game but how bad does he want three figures? Force him to go hard and risk it all. It would have given the Pakis a chance to take a tiny little phyrric victory out of the game instead of the complete rout they ended up with.

Just a "what if" scenario that Inzy could have considered.

[Fishman Dan]

Just a "what if" scenario that Inzy could have considered.

Perhaps Inzi checked the odds of a Clarkey ton before the game

[gazgolf1]

When does the footy season start.

[AndyP]

When does the footy season start.

24 days until pre-season.
58 days until round 1.

[3oneday]

When does the footy season start.

24 days until pre-season.
58 days until round 1.

real footy, or that arial tripe you and fish dribble over ??

[Fishman Dan]

Hey Rain Man - how long until State of Origin

Oh, and Pete, that would be "aerial"... but not bad for the Doggies supporter. Pre-Season..... shouldn't that mean your team is out terrorising some small-time country town at the moment?

[Jarro]

Hey Rain Man - how long until State of Origin

Oh, and Pete, that would be "aerial"... but not bad for the Doggies supporter. Pre-Season..... shouldn't that mean your team is out terrorising some small-time country town at the moment?

.. yeah i heard they were heading out to Casino.

[3oneday]

Hey Rain Man - how long until State of Origin

Oh, and Pete, that would be "aerial"... but not bad for the Doggies supporter. Pre-Season..... shouldn't that mean your team is out terrorising some small-time country town at the moment?

and it took me three goes to spell it rong

About to embark on their overseas jaunt, something about being Premiers ??? not sure, think that was the reason :P , next couple of weeks we should be back in the news :P

Pete :P

[Fishman Dan]

.. yeah i heard they were heading out to Casino.

There's enough good quality league-gene's around there at the moment without the need for the Doggies to go around sewing their seed. With the likes of Ben Kennedy and the King boys, the Casino 1st XIII would be a pretty good squad.

[Onewood]

Hayden has got to go for the finals, along with Symons enough is enough, these guys are putting to much presure on everybody else....

Clarke to open, Watson to come in for Symons and leave Katich in

Game over no one will touch a side that is in form rather than a side thats trying to get some form back

[3oneday]

Hayden has got to go for the finals, along with Symons enough is enough, these guys are putting to much presure on everybody else....

Clarke to open, Watson to come in for Symons and leave Katich in

Game over no one will touch a side that is in form rather than a side thats trying to get some form back

pretty much spot on, although I've still got my doubts about Watson, he bowls with pace but doesn't seem to be doing much with it. There does seem to be more of an argument for a decent slow bowler rather than another quick, ie the quicker they bowl the quicker they hit the fence

Pete

[Fishman Dan]

Has to happen, you can't keep gambling on Haydo's return to form.

Symond's got a start, looked in complete control and played his standard loose shot to throw it all away. Mind you, pretty good catch and equally ar$ey runout was good to watch. His bowling was pretty average - but he's not a 10-over bloke!

Ponting's captaincy again failed. Giving Youhana and Inzi 6 per over in easy singles for 10 overs was boring to watch, they did it too easy. Symonds/Clarke/Katich should have combined as the 5th bowler.