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Craig HillMatthew Hayden Praised
January 14th 2009 00:08
Former teammates and cricket officials have joined the chorus of praise directed at retiring opening batsman Matthew Hayden.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting was full of admiration for the champion opener as he bowed out of international cricket, describing the big Queenslander as a 'huge loss' to the Australian dressing room.
"Taking his 30 Test hundreds out of it and his average of 50 and all that, he's a massive loss for our dressing room, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.
"We'll all miss him greatly, as an experienced guy around the team and obviously a great mate."
Ponting was also quick to cement Hayden's place in the pantheon of champion openers.
"I don't think there is any doubt about that (being Australia's best opener), you can even look back through the history books of the game and try and see if there has ever been a better opening batsman in the game, let alone Australia," he said.
"His opening partnership with Justin (Langer) in Test cricket will always be remembered as something very special."
Fast bowling legend Glen McGrath also paid tribute to his former teammate.
"It's been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate," McGrath said.
"And to me Matty is a legend of the game; he's got nothing left to prove, his career stands alone."
"Hopefully now we'll be able to spend a bit more time together off the field."
Queensland Cricket's senior officials have lauded the contribution Matthew Hayden made to domestic cricket.
Chairman Damien Mullins described Hayden's as a 'wonderful career'.
"Matthew Hayden has, through his outstanding performances, earned the admiration and respect of the Queensland cricket public. He is truly one of the legends of Queensland sport," Mullins said.
"In Sheffield Shield cricket, only Sir Donald Bradman scored more runs in fewer matches than Hayden."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting was full of admiration for the champion opener as he bowed out of international cricket, describing the big Queenslander as a 'huge loss' to the Australian dressing room.
"Taking his 30 Test hundreds out of it and his average of 50 and all that, he's a massive loss for our dressing room, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.
"We'll all miss him greatly, as an experienced guy around the team and obviously a great mate."
Ponting was also quick to cement Hayden's place in the pantheon of champion openers.
"I don't think there is any doubt about that (being Australia's best opener), you can even look back through the history books of the game and try and see if there has ever been a better opening batsman in the game, let alone Australia," he said.
"His opening partnership with Justin (Langer) in Test cricket will always be remembered as something very special."
Fast bowling legend Glen McGrath also paid tribute to his former teammate.
"It's been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate," McGrath said.
"And to me Matty is a legend of the game; he's got nothing left to prove, his career stands alone."
"Hopefully now we'll be able to spend a bit more time together off the field."
Queensland Cricket's senior officials have lauded the contribution Matthew Hayden made to domestic cricket.
Chairman Damien Mullins described Hayden's as a 'wonderful career'.
"Matthew Hayden has, through his outstanding performances, earned the admiration and respect of the Queensland cricket public. He is truly one of the legends of Queensland sport," Mullins said.
"In Sheffield Shield cricket, only Sir Donald Bradman scored more runs in fewer matches than Hayden."
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