Hayden - Simply the Best

[Donny]

Sachin left in Hayden's wake
By Robert Craddock and Jon Pierik - Fox Sports
December 11, 2003

THE Indians may still rate Sachin Tendulkar as the best batsman in the world but statistics suggest record-breaking Matthew Hayden may now have his measure.

Tendulkar's official batting ranking has plummeted to No. 9 in recent times, while Hayden has flourished as the game's premier bladesman in both forms of the game.

Hayden again issued a statement why he should be rated as cricket's leading batsman when he scored another first in the series opener against India at the Gabba.

During his second innings 99, the Queenslander passed 1000 Test runs for the third consecutive calendar year – an achievement unmatched by the game's greatest batsmen.

Left-hander Hayden now has 1094 runs at 78.14 this year, leaving him in front of West Indian captain Brian Lara (1054), South African skipper Graeme Smith (1008) and teammate Ricky Ponting (973).

This year's tally follows on from his 1160 runs at an average of 72.50 last year and 1391 at 63.23 in 2001 when he overtook Bob Simpson as Australia's heaviest scorer in a calendar year.

Hayden said yesterday he had learnt a lot from watching Tendulkar but admitted Lara was his favourite source of inspiration.

"Lara is the man I watch closely," Hayden said. "The thing I admire about Lara is his work against spinners and how he manipulates the field.

"He always puts them away where fieldsman aren't, like Tendulkar."

It's not only statistical data which backs up Hayden's right to the No. 1 throne.

After his record-breaking 380 at the WACA and unbeaten 101 a week later in Sydney, Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said the 32-year-old was as difficult to bowl to as Tendulkar and Lara.

In that series, Hayden also joined Neil Harvey as the second quickest Australian behind Sir Donald Bradman to 4000 Test runs, reaching the milestone in 46 Tests.

Tendulkar took 58 Tests to get to the mark.

Hayden has become cricket's most consistent runmaker since returning to the Test side in New Zealand almost four years ago.

He has scored 3912 runs at 65.20 in 40 Tests, almost 800 more than his nearest rival during the same period, India's Rahul Dravid.

Tendulkar is sixth on the list in this period, scoring 2846 runs in 32 Tests at a very good average of 58.08.

[couragous cloke]

eva heard of relying too much on statistics? i reckon i could of made a handy score against Zimbabwe that day

As for best batsmen in the world, Hayden has been in form for 2-3 years, let alone sachin who's been in this type of form for the past 10-12 years.