Hayden calls it quits

Poor form prompts Australian opener to retire

Last updated: 14th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hayden calls it quits

Hayden and family on the 'Gabba outfield

I am retiring from cricket, but not from life.

Matthew Hayden
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has retired from international and domestic cricket with immediate effect.

He will, however, see out the remaining two years of his contract with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

The opener, 37, made the announcement at an emotional press conference in Brisbane on Tuesday afternoon.

In his international career, Hayden scored 8,625 runs at an average of 50.72 in 103 Tests.

The Queenslander made 30 centuries, including 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003, which briefly stood as the world record Test score.

He also enjoyed success in one-day internationals, plundering 6,133 runs at 43.80 in 161 appearances and was part of Australia's World Cup winning teams in 2003 and 2007.

The decision comes after he was dropped from Australia's one-day and Twenty20 squads for the current series against South Africa, having struggled during the 2008-09 domestic summer, scoring just 149 runs at 16.55 in five Tests.

Hayden had originally hoped to push on for the tour to South Africa in February and the Ashes in England later this year, but instead has brought the curtain down on his 15-year international career.

'Lived the dream'

Flanked by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, Hayden told the press conference that he was ready to move on to the next stage of his life.

"Today, I am announcing my retirement from competitive cricket, effective immediately," he said.

"I have lived the dream and loved every minute of representing Australia and Queensland - there's zero regrets when it comes to my cricket performance.

"I feel privileged to have been in a position where I've had longevity because I've experienced the enormity of the experience in the longer term.

"I am retiring from cricket, but not from life.

"I'm humbled by my background and I've been humbled by the fact that I've got so much support.

"That's why I can feel so proud of what the team has achieved over the period of time that I've contributed to it.

"I hope that in some small way that I've been able to leave a legacy into that culture.

"I can freely walk away from Ricky and the team knowing that the custodians of the importance of the fabric of our culture are well and truly harnessed."

Future plans

Hayden is now looking forward to enjoying his favourite pastimes - fishing, boating and cooking - and intends to throw himself into programmes to promote cricket among indigenous Australians and the McGrath Foundation.

He thanked his 'brothers of the baggy green' for their support and credited the culture of the Australian team for its success over the past decade and more.

Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke paid credit to Hayden, declaring him to be 'one of the greatest ever players to pull on the baggy green.'

"To open the batting with an average over 50 in 103 Test matches puts him among the all-time greats of the game," Clarke said.

"Matthew was an integral part of the most successful era in Australian cricket history.

"It would be an interesting task if the team of the century was to be selected today to rate Matthew against Bill Ponsford and Arthur Morris."

Click Here for Your Free Bet

Comments (23)

  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Cj Brown says...

bravo mathew hayden for your truely glittering career. you have been a great servant to the game and i wish you all th best for the future.

Posted 11:26 19th January 2009

Steven Singh says...

matthew hayden epitomised what a true cricketers traits should be, on the field he was aggressive, bullish, proud and gave everything for his country. off the field he was and is a true gentlemen who would gladly share a beer or a chat with the opposition dressing room no matter what had taken place on the field. a great sportsmen, well done on a cracking career, the game will be lesser without you

Posted 00:30 16th January 2009

Ritesh Lamsal says...

Good decision by Hayden to call it quits. He was more of a liability than an asset to the Australian side for the last several months. A glittering career though, one of the finest Australian cricketers, may be Australia's best opener ever.

Posted 16:37 15th January 2009

Bobby Banerjee says...

Congrats to Matty Hayden on a glittering interantional career. I have to admire his decision as aforementioned - his complete retirement from playing the game can only help the long term growth of Australian cricket - I wish some of the county veterans took similar note and allowed more up and coming cricketers into the fray. Maybe it's time for Englaish cricket to stop being such an Old Boys club and really concentrate on getting near the top of the tree (at least at Test level)!?

Posted 03:59 15th January 2009

Udit Vashist says...

his presence on the field was intimidating to the opposition...

Posted 07:34 14th January 2009

Roy Batchelor says...

Retiring from all forms of cricket? Whats that all about? Surely the right thing, is to do what our players do and remain playing County Cricket until their bus pass comes through. This way it will keep all the young up and coming players out of the game. Could it be that not only he could teach us how to be a better Cricketer, but also how to be better a better person and put Country before self? Congratulations.

Posted 19:53 13th January 2009

Alastair Rigden says...

Wouldn't normally be moved (as an Englishman!) to make complimentary comments on an Australian batsman but I must say he had it all: natural skill, patience, power, concentration, guts and great hands in the slips. A great opening batsman that England could do with! (Does he have any British ancestry?!?!)Enjoy your retirement.

Posted 16:24 13th January 2009

Senthil Kumar says...

the fans really mis a good cricketer, good opener and a honest person. Dear Matthew i wish all your future success.

Posted 15:36 13th January 2009

Nick Joseph says...

NOW THAT Mr H has retired perhaps ENGLAND will get the ASHES back COME ON ENGLAND show them Aussies.

Posted 15:28 13th January 2009

Mohsin Naizr says...

Mathew Hayden was a brillant player for australians. But know with Justin Langer and Hayden as the 2 best openerrs in world cricket australia have gone down. also with the best spinner in the world Shane Warne gone and the fast bowler Mgcratch gone aswell. the Australias team is not notted as no 1. my opinion is it has gone down to no 3 or even 4. in my opinion no 1 is India no 2 South africa number 3 Australia no 4 pakistan. That is the big dammage done to the australians. But i think that Hayden has done the right thing retire from cricket and then spend more time with his family. WELL DONE HAYDEN!!!!!!!!!!! BRILLIANT PLAYER TO AUSTRALIA.

Posted 14:31 13th January 2009

Selwyn Marock says...

A Gentleman of the game,and when on form a scary batsman if you are the opposition. Good Luck

Posted 14:11 13th January 2009

Kevin Stephenson says...

As an opener there have been few to match his records. As an Australian he has embodied the pride of a nation that has always produced sporting excellence. He will be missed and I will always remember the series in India (2001) and the countless Ashes contests in which he rarely came off second best. I for one will be buying his cook book and in the true spirit of Australianism.....i'll be handing it to my wife for her birthday! Cheers Haydos!

Posted 13:47 13th January 2009

Saydul Hussain says...

He was one of the great player in this decades.. Such an aggresive and stylish player . Surely cricket world will miss you.

Posted 13:07 13th January 2009

Matthew Prested says...

Matty Hayden well what a LEGEND. inspired me to become an opening batsman myslef when i was just an average left arm authodox bowler. The guy is a cricket genius and will be sorely missed. Hope he goes into coaching or reconsiders and goes into the IPL. True inspiration and great example for the game of cricket. One good thing from it though, he wont be playing for the Aussies against us in the ashes :D.

Posted 12:12 13th January 2009

Sam Stephens says...

Thanks for the hours of enjoyment of watching you bat Matt. True hero. I'm a pommy and i think I speak for every cricket fan when i say thank god you are not playing us anymore, however you will be sorely missed

Posted 10:45 13th January 2009

Kris Curtis says...

What a fantastic career and player. Its a shame he is going out during a low point as his great achievements may be overlooked. The next Australian opener has huge shoes to fill. Another great Aussie cricketer!

Posted 10:22 13th January 2009

Ray Murgatroyd says...

Matthew Hayden has taken opening the batting at test and one day cricket to a whole new leval, the pleasure is all ours. Thanks

Posted 10:14 13th January 2009

Stuart Proudfoot says...

Being a South African, I am absolutely thrilled I will never have to sit and worry about how many runs Matt Hayden is going to slap us for when he gets in to bat. A true legend has left cricket but good luck to him in h the McGrath foundation and I'm sure we'll hear him as a commentator in the return SA leg of the series.

Posted 10:07 13th January 2009

Curtis Moat says...

Only Brian Lara is a better batsman. That not a bad thing. I think Hayden will coach the Australian international team in the future. What a LEGEND!!!

Posted 09:59 13th January 2009

Adam Young says...

Superb player and a credit to the game.

Posted 08:57 13th January 2009
  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private