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Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has strongly criticized Australia’s batting structure and coaching following the team’s defeat in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 29, 2025.
Speaking after Australia’s loss to England, Hayden singled out batting coach Michael Di Venuto, questioning his long-term influence on the side’s technical development.
Despite already holding an unassailable 3-1 lead in the Ashes series, Australia suffered a stunning defeat by four wickets inside just two days. The hosts were dismissed for 152 and 132 on a seam-friendly surface.
Hayden calls Australia’s scorecard “Unacceptable”
Speaking on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast, Hayden did not hold back as he dissected Australia’s batting failures. He argued that pitch conditions were no excuse for the technical shortcomings displayed by the top and middle order.
“That’s an unacceptable scorecard. I don’t care if it was 50 millimetres of grass. You need to be better than that,” Hayden said. He specifically named Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Cameron Green as players who appeared “at sea” against pace bowling.
According to Hayden, Australia’s bowlers looked more technically sound than their batters, a situation he found deeply concerning at Test level.
While stressing it was not a personal attack, the former opener questioned whether Di Venuto’s influence had truly benefited Australia’s Test batting group.
“I’m not a fan of him. It’s not a personal thing. I just think that for too long there has been an influence in this group around batting, and I don’t feel it’s served the development of the team or the technical element of Test cricket,” Hayden said.
He further argued that Australia’s struggles are not limited to green wickets at home but also extend to overseas conditions, particularly in the subcontinent, where adaptability and refined technique are crucial.
Also READ: ICC pitch rating explained: MCG labelled ‘unsatisfactory’ | Ashes 2025-26
“You didn’t see Ricky Ponting batting at three”: Hayden
Hayden emphasized accountability as the missing ingredient in Australia’s batting approach. He contrasted the current setup with previous generations led by figures such as Ricky Ponting, suggesting senior players in the past would not tolerate repeated technical mistakes.
“You didn’t see Ricky Ponting batting at three, like Marnus Labuschagne is, throwing his wicket away. There is no chance,” Hayden remarked, adding that former teammates and senior players would have intervened.
He also criticized what he sees as a rigid mindset based on conditions, arguing that players must adapt rather than default to pre-set methods.
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