Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer, who formed one of Test cricket’s most enduring and devastating opening partnerships, will be briefly rivals on Thursday when Pakistan take on Australia for a place in the Twenty20 World Cup final. Both now aged 50, their competitive formats have found new outlets – with Hayden as batting consultant and Langer as Australia’s head coach with Pakistan.
Hayden admitted on Wednesday, “It’s a very unusual feeling. I was a warrior for Australian cricket over two decades, which gives me amazing insight into not only these players but also about the culture of cricket in Australia.” …”
Hayden and Langer were the backbone of the Australian side for the best part of a decade. They opened together for the first time at The Oval in 2001 and went out together for the last time at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2007. In between, they combined to open 5,655 runs, a record that included six double century partnerships. His average was less than 52 shadows.
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Both men ended their careers with over 100 Tests and bags of runs – Hayden scored 8,625 and Langer scored 7,696. Hayden believes Thursday’s clash will draw hearts and memories. “I think it’s a challenge of the heart, a challenge of the mind in terms of what is going to happen in the next 24 hours from my point of view.”
“But I will also say with great pride that it was wonderful to be a part of Pakistan cricket. We have some incredible young players, we have an amazing mix of experienced players in our line-up, and they and the team are commendable.
– ‘These are my boys’ –
Langer has had a tough time as a coach in recent times. The former opener took over in 2018 following the infamous “sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering tour of South Africa and has been widely praised for rebuilding the culture of Australian cricket.
But the unrest in the dressing room was never far off and he was forced to address the negative backlash to his management style this year, culminating in crisis talks with senior players and officials. Thursday’s defeat against undefeated Pakistan and the Ashes on home soil will add to the pressure.
“Justin Langer and I are in the same position as a national coach or a batting coach who never wins a game of cricket,” Hayden said. “The players in the game win 11 games, and we’re just back-up.” Hayden says he will create a lasting legacy by helping Pakistan win a second T20 World title with the team following their 2009 win. want to leave.
In that regard, he paid an emotional tribute to former Australian star Dean Jones, who coached and commented extensively in Pakistan. Jones passed away suddenly in September, 2020 in Mumbai at the age of 59. “The last words I could hear in my ears were from Dean,” Hayden recalled.
‘These are my boys. This is something that I am very passionate about’. He was associated with Pakistan cricket just beautifully. May he now rest in peace knowing the fact that he has left a legacy within this team that will live on not only for this generation but also for generations to come.
“If I can add any value to Dino’s closing remarks, that would be my greatest honor.”
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