4 years ago to this day he was ranked the best ODI batsman in the world by the ICC. His average and strike rate in ODIs are still excellent. He hasn't been in vintage knick, he'll be the first to admit that but he used the opportunity of plenty of time last night to work on that and still everyone slags him off because he didn't win the game in 10 overs. Ridiculously harsh criticism from Aussie board members here particularly when there is no obvious replacement.
He's not ranked 1 anymore, he's ranked 39th, and the rest of the order is in the top 12. Even when he was highly ranked it was dubious. Jaques has made 80-odd already this morning, he made a fifty the other day. He's the perfect partner to Gilchrist, he's capable of big innings, batting first or second, and has an excellent strike-rate.
What has Hayden done to get in the team? Why is he deserving of 5 straight games to find his form when other players barely get a look in when they're playing well? And he's 35, what is he finding his form for? The world cup? He'll more than likely be a liability there the way he plays and is playing. What future does he have in this team at his age when he can't even find good form against opponents as dire as the current English team. He was lucky yesterday that the poms played so poorly, 30(68) ain't gonna cut it anywhere else. Imagine they made 200-300, would it be ok for him to play himself in so painstakingly then?
I don't think I'm being harsh at all. Now is the perfect time to establish a future opener, but they're wasting games getting Hayden 'settled' to what end? Actually forget it, I believe it's time another team wins the world cup anyway. Keep him, then NZ or SA will have a slightly better chance of raising their first cup.
I've changed my mind, keep Hayden. You never know, all the new Caribbean pitches might be nothing but roads and he'll come good. I would have no problem with that, as soon as he helps the team win games I'll be nothing but positive.