Matthew Hayden: David Warner can be Australia’s best opening batsman of all time

Matthew Hayden added David Warner needs to better his temperament.

Matthew Hayden, former Australian batsman is of the opinion that David Warner has the ability to become the nation’s best Test opener of all time. These words coming from Hayden, who was probably one of the best if not the finest opening Test batsman (in the world) of his time mean a lot. Hayden believes all that Warner needs to do is better his temperament which is very crucial in Test cricket. Hayden argues that Warner’s temperament is not bad but it can certainly be improved upon. Hayden added that Warner requires the maturity to play Test cricket and if he works on these few things, he can certainly be Australia’s best opening batsman in Test cricket. Currently, Warner is second only to Hayden with most runs by an Australian opening batsman in Tests with the qualification being that they must have played 51 matches which Warner has at the moment i.e. at this juncture of their career. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab, 7th T20 Match, IPL 2016

Warner is also considered one of the most fierce batsmen Test cricket has ever witnessed. If we take into account the combination of a healthy average and an even better strike rate for an opener in Tests, Warner is second only to former Indian explosive batsman Virender Sehwag. In a conversation with Cricket Australia’s official website Hayden said, “I think he [Warner] can be the best. He certainly knows now how to temper his performance and that’s the hardest thing to learn. You can teach a lot of skills, but the mindset of a batsman is a mindset that takes time to learn.  That’s why a lot of guys might disagree with a guy like Greg Chappell, who says you can play your best cricket before you’re 23.  I think that’s complete rubbish.  As a batsman you need to develop your timing. “ READ: David Warner, Joe Burns aim to break Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer’s opening record in Test cricket

“You have a look at all the players that have come out of the last era, with the exception of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, they’ve all been guys who have matured into their performance.  Davey [Warner] needed to mature as much as a person as he did a cricketer and he’s done that.  He’s made that transition into a family life, into a solid member of the team and he’s got the temperament to play across each format of the game.  He’s a joy to watch. The living room in our house comes alive every time he comes on to bat.  It’s stop, hold the phone and watch Dave play. He’s brilliant.” India vs Australia, T20 World Cup 2016: Ian Chappell says David Warner a match-winner; tampering with batting order affecting his performance

“He was challenged early by the mentality that you all get into when you’re playing a lot of the shorter version of the game of hitting every ball. The secret to Test cricket is leaving the ball well. They’re opposite temperaments. He’s combined that skill of being able to know where your off-stump is, play straight for as long as you can but he’s always naturally going to be aggressive. He’s got that mindset of six, four and so on and not the other way up.”

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