Matthew Hayden’s top 3 knocks in Test Cricket

Matthew Hayden is undoubtedly one of the greatest Aussies to have ever graced this game. He was an intimidating opener who used to dominate the opposition bowlers with his no-nonsense approach. His famous opening partnership in test cricket with Justin Langer is widely remembered. Let’s take a look at the top 3 knocks of Matthew Hayden in test cricket.

#1. 380 vs Zimbabwe, 2003

Matthew Hayden’s career-best performance came in 2003 against Zimbabwe at the famous WACA ground in Perth. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to put Australia to bat. Matthew Hayden absolutely nailed the first innings and made Zimbabwe pay as he scored a massive triple-century and broke the record for most runs in an innings which was held by Brian Lara. He also went past Mark Taylor and Don Bradman to score the most runs by an Aussie in a test innings. This knock will go down as his best performance and will be remembered for the nonchalant batting display. 

#2. 203 vs India, 2001

This heroic double ton was scored in the famous 2001 test series between India and Australia. This tour was called the “final frontier” by Steve Waugh, the Aussie skipper. Australia won the first match of the 3-match test series in Mumbai. Then the Indians fought back and clinched the historic Kolkata test. Now it was the turn of Chennai to host the series decider. 

Matthew Hayden turned up in Chennai with an unwavering determination to score big for his team. Waugh won the toss and elected to bat first. Hayden proved his captain’s decision correct with a remarkable 203 in the first innings. Australia scored 391 in the first innings but fell flat in front of India’s batting display. India ultimately won the match and series as well but this masterclass from Hayden will always stay fresh in the memories of cricket fans. 

#3. 197 vs England, 2002

Another fabulous knock in this list would be this wonderful performance in an Ashes encounter in Brisbane. The English captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and made a wrong decision to put Australia to bat first. 

Hayden came out of the blocks very quickly to dominate the English bowlers. He scored 197 in the first innings to guide Australia to a massive 492 runs in the first innings. Hayden followed up the first innings performance with a century in the second innings as well. Australia eventually won this match convincingly by bowling England out for just 79 runs in the run chase.