Random Cricket Photos Post 59



#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

Gilchrist was dangerous. Jayasuriya was explosive. Sehwag could destroy bowling figures for fun. But none of them was Matthew Hayden.

The no nonsense body language of Hayden intimidated like no one else. He was as Australian as they come The southpaw always seemed like the bully who had come to mock the kids by hitting their balls away to some far-fetched lands with his powerful arms. Even bowlers who could rack up 150kmph seemed scared of seeing Hayden coming down the track while with the lesser mortals, it would have been the other way round. More than anything, there was something so ominous about him meditating on the pitch before he took guard. It gave you an inkling of the storm that was on its way. Growing up, it was a scary sight (and hence I chose this photograph). The runs that flowed from his bat after that felt more like body blows.

And it wasn't only the opposition that was scared of Hayden.

In his autobiography, Brad Hogg narrates an interesting incident when he was the 12th man of the team in the 2003 Ashes Test at Sydney.

“I decided to give our openers, [Justin] Langer and Hayden, some encouragement. I was going on to Justin about how we had to stick it to the Poms. Then I did the same with Hayden. He just looked at me before telling me to shut up and leave him alone.

Gilly reminded me to revisit the psychologist’s report which provided insights into players’ personalities. I went to the locker room and looked at the report. It said,

"DON'T TALK TO HAYDOS BEFORE HE BATS!"

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