Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden does not like the idea of Steve Smith opening the batting in Test matches, calling the move “crazy” and suggesting that such a drastic change could disrupt the balance of the Australian batting lineup. Hayden, one of Australia’s most successful Test openers, believes that Smith should remain in the middle order, where he has built a formidable record.
Speaking at the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, Hayden emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the top three positions in the Test batting order. “The rationale that [national selector] George Bailey gave was correct in so far as that he was choosing his best top six batsmen,” Hayden said. “Now, you can’t argue with Steven Smith, he is averaging 57 in Test-match cricket with 32 Test-match hundreds.”
However, Hayden pointed out the distinct challenges faced by openers, particularly in challenging conditions outside Australia. Smith’s brief stint as an opener earlier this year, during the home series against West Indies and the subsequent tour to New Zealand, did not yield the desired results. In those eight innings, Smith managed only one half-century and averaged just 28.50, a stark contrast to his impressive averages of 67.07 at No. 3 and 61.50 at No. 4.
“I, personally, as I said at the time, was on record saying that I didn’t like changing,” Hayden reiterated. “I think it’s crazy to think that you have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position, and then you change to a completely different position. For a few reasons, I think that’s crazy. Firstly, why? Such a gun in that position, such a coveted player.”
Hayden also raised concerns about the implications of moving Smith to the top of the order for the broader structure of Australian cricket. He argued that the role of an opening batsman is crucial and should be reserved for those who have been groomed for the position through Australia’s first-class cricket system. “The [batting positions of] one, two and three is a category which needs to be protected in my opinion. It sets up play,” Hayden stated.
