5 Best innings of Matthew Hayden

We will now take a look at five of the best innings of Matthew Hayden. One of the most prolific openers of all time. He has 30 centuries in Tests and 10 in ODIs to his name. He was the highest run getter at the World Cup in 2007, which helped Australia win the trophy comprehensively. He had the reputation of a destructive muscleman, who can tear any bowling attack apart. Here's the list:

#5 101 vs South Africa

It was the much hyped group battle of World Cup 2007 between Australia and South Africa. The world’s best teams up against each other in the World Cup. But the blistering knock of 101 from Matthew Hayden in just 68 balls made it a no contest.

Hayden along with Gilchrist gave an explosive start to the innings which was later cashed in by Clarke and Ponting with their 90s. Hayden torn the Proteas bowling apart, after which no bowler was able to find his rythem back. Australia posted a humngous total of 377. Although SA backed themselve to repeat the 438 heroics, it was not enough this time around.

#4 153 vs England

An Ashes century is always a special one. But when it is scored in any crunch situation it is even more special. Australia had already won the Ashes with a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth test as well, England were all out for only 159. But still the English bounced back strongly. Australia were 84 for 5, Hayden was losing his partners from the other end in quick succession. And Australia were on the verge of ending up with a very low total on the board.

But, Andrew Symonds who came in at 7, paired with Hayden and both went on score centuries. Hayden’s persistance was almost imperishable in the innings. He fought it out hard and took Australia to a healthy total.

#3 380 vs Zimbabwe

Matthew Hayden became the highest run scorer in an innings in Test cricket surpassing Lara’s 375, when he played a bad host to Zimbabwe in 2003 at Perth. Haydos absolutely slaughtered the Zimbabweans to reach 380 and help Australia manage a mammoth total of 735, the highest total on Australian soil in 126 years.

He could have well become the first man to score first 400 in Test cricket, but fell short. This 380 was later broken by Lara himself when he scored 400*. But 380 is still the highest Australian individual total in a Test innings.

#2 181 vs New Zealand

Australia were in New Zealand just before the World Cup in 2007. Australia had lost the first two games rather badly, and with the 3 match ODI series lost already, Australia were seeking a victory to give themselves much needed boost going into the World Cup.

Hayden was coming under the scanner for poor performances, but he silenced all his critics by shredding the Kiwi bowlers to pieces. Hayden scored 181 from 166 balls which became the highest individual score by an Australian in an ODI, which was later broken by Shane Watson with his 185 against Bangladesh. But unfortunately with this 181 he made a record which nobody would want to make, the highest individual total for a losing team. Yes, in spite of posting 346 with the help of Hayden’s 181, the Kangaroos lost the game by 1 wicket.

#1 203 vs India

After winning the historic Kolkata Test, India was high on morale, Harbhajan Singh was on fire. Australia needed a big score at Chepauk in the first innings to be on the stronger side, after the early departure of his opening partner Michael Slater.

Matthew Hayden took it in his hands as he kept on taking Indian bowlers on from one end, while there was nobody supporting him from the other end. He was the lone warrior for the Aussies. He completed his double ton and was the last man to fall. Australia scored total of 391 out of which 203 were from the bat of Hayden

Australia had plans to destroy the rhythm of Indian spinners, but only Hayden seemed to suceed. He was the sole man who executed the plan well. Australia ended up losing the game by just 2 wickets. It was him who actually brought it so close for Australia.