Legendary Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden has criticized the substandard pitches that have been seen in the two test matches between India and Australia so far claiming that they are not doing any favors.
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Hayden was one of the best batsmen to have played on the spinning tracks in India with 2001 series being his standout series in which he made 509 runs at an average of 109.8
“The Test matches were on substandard pitches,” Hayden told The Times of India.
“It’s strange because India are good enough to play on good surfaces which naturally break up and start to turn. The fact that (Nathan) Lyon took eight in the first innings of a Test match says it all.”
“Interesting pitch … 16 wickets fell inside four and half hours,” coach Darren Lehmann said after a dramatic final day of the second Test, which India won by 75 runs to level the series.
“You’re going to get what you get here. That’s the way it is so you deal with it.”
“I have played some great Indian spinners and this attack is as good as any that I have played. These guys are world class,” Hayden said.
“The sweep shot is vital to have on Indian conditions, but having said that, I conditioned myself to play the shot through 10 years of first-class cricket.
“So it does take time and if you are not comfortable then it is a shot which should not be forced.”
Hayden is now a commentator and his words should be taken into context as there is some truth to it. But then again they say that you need to play to your strengths are India can say that they are doing just that. They should just be careful that they do not play into the Australian hands by using this tactic.
