Matthew Hayden's excellence in Ashes 2002 (Source: @VijayCricketFan/x.com)
When Australia and England lock horns in the Ashes, sparks fly, tempers flare, and legends are born under the crackling pressure of the rivalry’s century-old fire. Over the years, the historic battle of Test cricket delivered unreal drama that has captivated fans’ hearts, and some of the special performances carved a forever legacy.
The century-old rivalry is already a classic, with some special performances like Matthew Hayden’s twin hundred in the Ashes 2002 remaining as a forever iconic knock. Facing the arch-rivals, Australia’s big man fought with a big heart.
From a near double-ton to a second-innings hundred, Hayden kept England gasping for breath. Let’s relieve his heroics.
Hayden misses a milestone yet destroys England’s confidence
The Ashes is always fierce, but at the Gabba, it becomes a pressure cooker, tension skyrockets, and fans barely dare to breathe. The rivals have met at the unshaken fortress of the Aussies, a very few have come out as the Ashes 2002. When Australia met England in the first ODI of the Test series, fans witnessed drama.
Batting first, Justin Langer came to open the innings with Matthew Hayden, but Australia faced a setback early as Langer walked away on 32 runs. After Ricky Ponting joined Hayden, the English bowlers had a nightmare on the field. With every shot, Hayden echoed his excellence as the cricket world remained in awe.
After he smashed a thrilling fifty, he smashed a spectacular Test ton in just 126 runs. The English bowlers brought their best on the field, but Hayden was far from being touched on the day. As the opponent was looking for a single delivery to get Hayden out, the Aussie superstar defied their Gabba dominance once again.
After a 204-ball 150, Hayden eyed a double hundred and smashed big hits all over the ground. After ending the day one being unbeaten on 186, Hayden resumed on day three where he left before, without even imagining a heartbreak was loading for him.
But just when Australia sensed history, Caddick delivered the killer blow, sending Hayden back for 197 and breaking millions of hearts in an instant. With that, Australia put on a massive total of 492 runs.
Hayden’s second-innings stunner steals the spotlight
Matthew Hayden’s near-missed century was heartbreak, but that was enough to shatter England, and Australia planned more destruction for the arch-rivals. After England ended their first innings in 325 runs, Australia returned to bat again, and Matthew Hayden rolled up his sleeves once more.
After losing two wickets in 39 runs, Australia needed a hero; Hayden took the responsibility on his shoulders. Smashing the big hits all over the ground, he completed a half-century in 104 deliveries and propelled towards another thrilling ton.
Stitching a crucial partnership with Martin, Hayden smashed a hundred in 149 balls, and the world remained short of all the praise for the big man. With a 103-run knock in 152 balls, he deepened England’s woes as Australia put on a massive total. After England ended their second innings in just 79 runs, the Aussies registered a dominating 384-run victory.
In the end, Hayden didn’t just help Australia to win a Test; he rewrote England’s nightmares. With two sublime tons, Matthew Hayden scripted one of Australia’s biggest Test wins at the Gabba. This wasn’t just a knock; it was a brutal statement that England will remember for decades.
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