Mikey,

Past stats are meaningless. It's what is currently coming out of the hands of "Monty" and Hogg that interests me. Guys like Hogg no longer need to operate under the shadow of Warne anymore, and will no doubt come into their own now as a result.

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That's illogical R. If the delivery should have been left, then missing it would not cause our retreat to the pavilion

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A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes
Mark Twain

Sorry but haven't you pointed out twice on this post that Hayden averages 53. As thats his career average thats about as past a stat as you can get!! What I assume you mean is stats are meaningless unless they back your point up

I would seriously be interested in your, or anyone elses, view on the second point I made. If Hayden had to play a proportion of his test against the Warne, McGrath axis what change if any would this make to his record? I assume he would have gone hard as usual but against the metronomic McGrath this would be easier said than done.

Personally I think this a bit premature, we have 2 years to go before the next Ashes in England. Anything could happen to tip the scales in either Australia or England's favour.

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Frank Skinner: "You know when Glenn McGrath trod on that cricket ball? Don't you wish it would've been a landmine?"

Touche..

Good point SBM, but by the same token, how would have Warne and McGrath gone against Hayden. The only times i ever saw Warne and McGrath go to water was when batsmen such as Jayasuria and Pietersen attacked them. McGrath in particular would fall apart when he started getting smacked around. I cannot find any Aus domestic stats on Hayden vs Warne and Mcgrath unfortunately, but i do know that Hayden definitely had the wood on Warne.

Only 4 bowlers ever got the better of Hayden throughout his test career - Ambrose, Allan Donald, Shoaib, and Flintoff. All of them did so when they were at their peak and absolutely on fire. When Donald and Flintoff came up against Hayden later on in their career when the were past their peak and not on fire, Hayden murdered them.

That is fairly telling in my books. It took all time great bowlers at their peak to bring Hayden to his knees. And they are all gone now - there are no great bowlers left anymore, so it could be that only the aging process will bring an end to Hatden's run.

One thing i will say about attacking batsman such as Hayden, and this comes from 15 years of playing senior cricket, is that they are very disconcerting to bowl to. Bowling is all about rhythm and focus. When bowling to batsman such as Hayden, it is very easy to develop the "yips" because when you are running in, a fair proportion of your focus is lost due to uncertainty over what they are about to do. AI learned that personally, and thats playing at a ground with a handful of family and friends and the odd dog. I would imagine that the problem would multiply many times over when the stands are packed, international TV coverage and a six or seven figure paypacket at stake.

I reckon of a poll was run asking current bowlers if they would prefer to bowl to the likes of Bell, Kattich and Jayawarde or the likes of Hayden, Pietersen or Jayasuria, 99% would go for the former

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I know - it led to one of my favourite sledges.

Bowler to Hayden: Your casserole tastes like s***

Unique, surely?!

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Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi

Feeling generous, are we? Shoaib and Flintoff are "all-time" great bowlers? More like one season wonders, especially in Flintoff's case, with a poor Test average of 32 runs per wicket and a shocking 63 deliveries per wicket! (*hides from Ern*)

I agree with your comment that Hayden will have a few very good years now; it really surprises me how, even after almost ten years, he is still talked of in disparaging tones - as if being the most successful opening batsman of his generation is a fault!I think you are probably right Seamer. Someone like Asif, who aspires to be the next McGrath some day, is on record saying that he really enjoys bowling to people like Dravid, who allow him to get into a rhythm, which is what Asif's bowling is all about; and for the same reason, Asif says that does not enjoy bowling to Sehwag as Viru is just too unpredictable.

Though to balance that, Asif's record against Sehwag and Pietersen is excellent.

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A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes
Mark Twain

That's true - we don't know just how strong Australia are without McGrath, Langer and Warne.

Also England MAY have Flintoff, Trescothick and Simon Jones fit (who knows), and England maight even find a keeper.

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Ern

Australia will win the next ashes series, we have dominated the one day game without Warne, Langer and McGrath. The same will happen in test cricket.

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Bill Ponsford - The only one who could play in Bradman’s company and make it a duet.

Well done Hayden on passing 1500 runs in one day matches this calender year,i guess he may go close to 2000 with 6 more one day games still to play this year after this one if he continues the form he has shown so far this year.

Not bad for a bully who just hits it hard.