Matt the Bat’s new (i.e. old) strategy for being good again

Matthew Hayden senses vulnerability in Zaheer Khan, the man who has dismissed him three out of four times in the current India vs Australia Test series.

Let me just repeat that: Matthew Hayden senses vulnerability in the person who keeps getting him out. Hmm.

Khan’s vulnerability goes back to 2003, apparently, when Hayden and Gillie smacked him out of the attack in the 2003 World Cup. 2003, of course, was five years ago. Hayden at 32 was entering his prime. Khan was 25 and a young quick in his third year of international cricket. Hayden was in his ninth.

Here’s a thought. It’s possible that in the intervening five years Hayden has slipped over the hill while Khan has reached the top of it. It’s the great inevitability of sport. So what Hayden can no longer do with his bat he is doing with his mouth. When it comes to cricket, it’s the Australian way.

I won’t be surprised if Hayden’s taunts have no effect on his opponent. I won’t be surprised if Hayden continues to fail. It will be fascinating to see if, as a strategy, sledging his opponents to create an atmosphere of even greater hostility and combativeness and pressure helps Matt the Bat score more runs. (If nothing else, it will take some of the attention off his looming birthday and his limp recent performances.)

The next Test starts on Wednesday. I’m hoping the Aussies bat first. If so, we should have some answers by the end of the first session. 

** With apologies to Charlie Happell for stepping onto his sporting patch in the Crikey blogs.