Hayden backs Watson
14 March 2013 2:09 AM GMT
Sacked Australian vice-captain Shane Watson on Wednesday got the backing of former opening batsman Matthew Hayden while ex-captain Ricky Ponting refused comment on the unprecedented dumping of four key players from the team for the third Test against India.
Not only strongly backing Watson, Hayden also asked whether senior Australian cricket officials were committed to the ‘fundamental Australian ways’ of the game.
Hayden, who played with Watson for Australia and Queensland from 2003 to 2008, described the 31-year-old all-rounder, who has now returned home to be by the side of his pregnant wife, as a team man. ‘Shane is a team man and vice-captain of our nation.
Along with his gentle disposition yet outstanding competitive streak it has enabled Shane’s immense talents with both bat and ball to rise to the top to become one of this country’s more decorated performers in all forms of game,’ Hayden said.
‘I have played with Shane since he was a boy. He has battled with injury and presented true Aussie spirit,’ he said.
Not only strongly backing Watson, Hayden also asked whether senior Australian cricket officials were committed to the ‘fundamental Australian ways’ of the game.
Hayden, who played with Watson for Australia and Queensland from 2003 to 2008, described the 31-year-old all-rounder, who has now returned home to be by the side of his pregnant wife, as a team man. ‘Shane is a team man and vice-captain of our nation.
Along with his gentle disposition yet outstanding competitive streak it has enabled Shane’s immense talents with both bat and ball to rise to the top to become one of this country’s more decorated performers in all forms of game,’ Hayden said.
‘I have played with Shane since he was a boy. He has battled with injury and presented true Aussie spirit,’ he said.
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