The Great Matthew Hayden

[KiWiNiNjA]

Define trolling?

Almost 70k posts repeating the same non-sense.

Would be less if you didn't bother in engaging him.
The best way of handling it is doing nothing.

 

[Ikki]

You're probably right. I didn't engage him here, though. The moderator engaged me. The thing with Richard is that he singlehandedly posts as much as 5 people or more, so it's hard not to be engaged at some point or another. Although I am getting better. Kinda like ignoring that stupid uncle you have that tends to talk crap at family gatherings.

 

[pasag]

Think the guy is an absolute joke for a human being, but you can't deny his usefulness for Australia. Definitely has been instrumental in their dominance.

That's rubbish. Being a bit of a tool here and there does not equate to being a 'joke for a human being.'

 

[Prince EWS]

Excellent player, probably one of Australia's best ever openers, and somewhat underrated in certain circles. Not my favourite player to watch or anything but you can't deny his success.

Wouldn't go so far as to say he was better than Ponting as is implied above, or even close, but certainly very good.

Yeah, AWTA.

I generally haven't enjoyed watching him bat throughout his career but he's been awesomely effective. Not quite in the class of Ponting but admittedly one of the best openers Australia has ever produced.

 

[fredfertang]

He is closing in on David Boon's Australian record of 107 tests without taking a wicket - perhaps that's what he's after?

I don't think he'll get close to Alec Stewart's all time record though

 

[PhoenixFire]

You're posting towards me who is being sarcastic yet the post above me which is a direct swipe at anything Hayden has achieved is left to glow. Great stuff.

I think that it is fairly clear that you are the one that is trying to start petty fights here.

Richard gave his opinion and if you disagree with it, then that's fine, nobody is saying you can't. What I was saying, however, is keep this thread for appreciating Hayden and not arguing about exactly how good he is. Take that to another thread.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Yeah, AWTA.

I generally haven't enjoyed watching him bat throughout his career but he's been awesomely effective. Not quite in the class of Ponting but admittedly one of the best openers Australia has ever produced.

Might be an interesting question actually - has Australia ever had a (clearly) better opener? It's not been a major strength in Australia's history, along with off-spin it's probably our weakest in fact. Mostly great middle-order bats, wicket-keepers and seamers, with the occasional great spinner and probably only one great all-rounder.

Langer, Ponsford, Woodfull, Lawry, Simpson and Morris are the other Australian openers to score over 2000 runs averaging over 45. None over 50, obviously. Other notable openers are Taylor, Slater, and Trumper. A good list of names but only a couple of them really stand out for mine. Morris would probably be my pick, but it's certainly debatable, and you can easily point the "era dominated by batting" finger at him, along with Ponsford and Woodfull also. Simpson and Lawry didn't have that luxury, but don't have Hayden's statistical dominance either.

 

[G.I.Joe]

Great batsman. A record like his can't be fluked.

 

[Perm]

Might be an interesting question actually - has Australia ever had a (clearly) better opener? It's not been a major strength in Australia's history, along with off-spin it's probably our weakest in fact. Mostly great middle-order bats, wicket-keepers and seamers, with the occasional great spinner and probably only one great all-rounder.

Langer, Ponsford, Woodfull, Lawry, Simpson and Morris are the other Australian openers to score over 2000 runs averaging over 45. None over 50, obviously. Other notable openers are Taylor, Slater, and Trumper. A good list of names but only a couple of them really stand out for mine. Morris would probably be my pick, but it's certainly debatable, and you can easily point the "era dominated by batting" finger at him, along with Ponsford and Woodfull also. Simpson and Lawry didn't have that luxury, but don't have Hayden's statistical dominance either.

Arthur Morris, don't even have to think twice.

 

[silentstriker]

That's rubbish. Being a bit of a tool here and there does not equate to being a 'joke for a human being.'

Well, I'm not comparing him to a criminal or anything. Though I'd say more than 'a bit' of a tool.

In any case, I don't want to ruin the thread, I probably shouldn't have said that in this thread. He has been a great player for Australia, and the best opener of this decade.

 

[pasag]

Well, I'm not comparing him to a criminal or anything. Though I'd say more than 'a bit' of a tool.

In any case, I don't want to ruin the thread, I probably shouldn't have said that in this thread. He has been a great player for Australia, and the best opener of this decade.

For mine, the Mumbai terrorists are 'jokes for human beings'. What has Hayden done other then provide enjoyment for hundreds and thousands of people? So he makes a stupid comment in the media from time to time, big deal.

 

[Uppercut]

For mine, the Mumbai terrorists are 'jokes for human beings'. What has Hayden done other then provide enjoyment for hundreds and thousands of people? So he makes a stupid comment in the media from time to time, big deal.

Well, he's a devout christian. Gives him more comic value as a person in my book.

 

[silentstriker]

For mine, the Mumbai terrorists are 'jokes for human beings'.

Yes, well, as I said, I am not comparing him to criminals. It was not in that context.

What has Hayden done other then provide enjoyment for hundreds and thousands of people? So he makes a stupid comment in the media from time to time, big deal.

Beyond stupid. Perhaps I should have said that he's just a prick. That's probably what I meant to convey.

 

[silentstriker]

Well, he's a devout christian. Gives him more comic value as a person in my book.

So much for the meek inheriting the Earth .

 

[aussie]

Arthur Morris, don't even have to think twice.

Would be interesting to hear reasons why you think Morris would be a definate, because as Faaip rightly mentioned given that Australia hasn't produced a truly world class opener in the callibre of a Hobbs, Hutton, Gavaskar, Richards or Greenidge. Its still a very much open question who the greatest Australia opener/s is.

 

[pasag]

Yes, well, as I said, I am not comparing him to criminals. It was not in that context.



Beyond stupid. Perhaps I should have said that he's just a prick. That's probably what I meant to convey.

Hardly. He makes a dumb comment occasionally, big deal. Some people need to get some perspective really and not form such strong opinions based on sensationalist headlines from cricinfo. He's far from a saint, but stuff like calling him a prick is silly.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Hardly. He makes a dumb comment occasionally, big deal. Some people need to get some perspective really and not form such strong opinions based on sensationalist headlines from cricinfo. He's far from a saint, but stuff like calling him a prick is silly.

Yeah top post. People are so eager to judge.

 

[Ikki]

Agreed with Pasag. Calling Hayden a "joke for a human being" is really opportunistic of the petty trouble he has gotten himself in.

 

[Precambrian]

Darn why is he getting run out these days? Expecting him to have a good second innings, although not sure he will need to bat again considering NZ's dismal display so far.

 

[archie mac]

Would be interesting to hear reasons why you think Morris would be a definate, because as Faaip rightly mentioned given that Australia hasn't produced a truly world class opener in the callibre of a Hobbs, Hutton, Gavaskar, Richards or Greenidge. Its still a very much open question who the greatest Australia opener/s is.

Have a look at Ponsford's record, one of the few who could 'go' with the Don when the latter was in full flight