BRISBANE // Matthew Hayden's move from cricket arena to boardroom has taken less than a year after the former opening batsman joined the Cricket Australia board, replacing Allan Border. The former Test captain stands down after seven years' service, making way for Hayden, 37, who retired from playing in January. Hayden has since started an academy in Chennai where he is part of the Chennai Super Kings team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was the highest run-scorer last season.
Commenting on the change, the Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke said: "I think it is fantastic that someone of Allan Border's stature and workload was willing to give seven years of his time in unpaid service to the game at a national level. "I am also delighted to welcome Matt Hayden on board - he brings a combination of contemporary, elite playing experience in all major cricketing nations, additional understanding of player issues through his work on the board of the Australian Cricketers' Association, experience in the new Twenty20 phenomena as an IPL player, and a passion for development of indigenous cricket."
Hayden, who is in England as a pundit for the ongoing Ashes series, said in a statement: "I see it as a wonderful way to maintain an active role in the sport and make a meaningful contribution to the game." In order to take up the position, Hayden has brought an end to his spell on the board of the Australian Cricketers' Association but he wants to remain an advocate for the players. "It's true I have been a vocal campaigner for players rights during my player career and it's only natural that I would retain that interest," he said.
Hayden played 103 Tests for Australia and scored 8,625 runs at an average of 50.73. * With agencies