Hayden On David Warner's Absence From Australian Team - 'Doesn't Feel As Secure'
David Warner has retired from international cricket (X.com)
Matthew Hayden, the legendary Australian opener has opened up on David Warner's impact at the top of the order and how his absence takes out the security that the left-hander provided.
The Aussie expressed his thoughts at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards and mentioned that David Warner took forward his legacy with aggressive and consistent batting. He also added that the first time in many years, the opener's slot in the Australian team does not look settled.
"For the first time, it (opening slot) doesn't feel as secure. David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He gave a service that was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I'd created through the 2000s to a new level, strike rates in excess of 80 and gave great momentum to the top order, which otherwise is quite conservative. He's an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace him."
Hayden Not In Favour Of Steve Smith Opening In Test Matches
Hayden also opened up about the move to bring Steve Smith at the top of the order. The left-hander added that he was not happy with Steve Smith moving to the opening position as it did not make sense to change the batting position of a batter who has been world-class in the middle order.
"I was on record saying that I didn't like changing. I think it's crazy to think that you have the world's best-in-class batter in a certain position and then you change to a completely different position."
Inputs From PTI
 "Aashay Chopade")
