Matthew Hayden says he wouldn’t join Australian coaching staff after treatment of Justin Langer
Matthew Hayden has blasted Australian cricket’s lack of connection with past superstars and remains bitter about the treatment of great mate Justin Langer.
Test great Matthew Hayden has questioned the Australian cricket team’s lack of connection with the past superstars of the game in any leadership roles, adding that the treatment of Justin Langer meant he wouldn’t consider being involved even if asked.
In further proof there remains a great divide between the current generation of cricket stars led by Pat Cummins and the recently retired greats of the game, Hayden expressed his view that it was “quite interesting” that there are no former Australian greats involved in the modern day set up.
Hayden’s era of players fell out with the current team over the way former coach Justin Langer was treated at the end of his tenure in 2021 when he was basically sacked after winning a T20 World Cup and the Ashes.
While Cummins and others in the team have attempted to broker peace and enjoy peaceful relationships with several former greats, Hayden said it was obvious that under new coach Andrew McDonald (four Test matches as a player) there is not a former senior Test player anywhere in the Australian team set up.
Kiwi spin legend Daniel Vettori (assistant coach) and former ODI captain George Bailey (chairman of selectors) are the two most credentialed former players in the current brains trust.
During Langer’s reign Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh had roles as team mentors while in years past the likes of Allan Border, Mark Waugh, Greg Chappell and Merv Hughes served as selectors.
“What’s quite interesting is that there’s not a former great that is actually at the helm of Australian cricket. Not one,” Hayden told Wisden Cricket Monthly.
“Not as a chairman of selectors, not as a coach, not as a board director. At no layer is there leadership that’s got a former great player of Australian cricket operating within that team unit.
“That, to me, is surprising considering we’ve just come out of three great eras or decades of Australian cricket.”
When Tim Paine was asked why Ricky Ponting wasn’t more involved after Langer left he told SEN radio “they probably couldn’t afford his daily rate.”
Hayden has worked closely as a coach with Pakistan but was unequivocal when asked if he’d ever consider coaching Australia.
“I wouldn’t (coach Australia), no,” Hayden said.
“After Justin and his treatment, I wouldn’t have any part of trying to coach Australia because I just don’t feel that’s something I would enjoy.
“I really love Australian cricket and I really love broadcasting on the current cricket team. I think they’re a magnificent team but in terms of an investment, no, it’s not something that I’d even consider.”
Originally published as Matthew Hayden says he wouldn’t join Australian coaching staff after treatment of Justin Langer
Gillespie, Love, Law: Neser to join club no cricketer wants to be part of
In town for the Ashes? These are the best Adelaide pubs to visit
Seifert’s historic century as Renegades hammer the Heat
NSW cricketer banned after allegedly sending nude photos
Why Lyon doesn’t have a ‘point to prove’ as Test recall looms
