Last Update on: October 20th, 2023 at 01:09 pm
Matthew Hayden believes that having both Steve Smith and Labuschagne in the lineup increases pressure on the top six.
Matthew Hayden highlighted the need for Mitchell Marsh to bat at different batting position following Travis Head's return.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has recommended a change in the national team’s batting line-up for the upcoming matches in the ICC World Cup 2023. Matthew Hayden said that Cameron Green should replace Marnus Labuschagne in the playing XI.
Travis Head has been ruled out of the first half of the tournament due to an injury. Mitchell Marsh stepped in as an opener alongside David Warner in the first three matches. Marnus Labuschagne secured his place in the middle order following recent performances.
It Creates Pressure Through The Top Six – Matthew Hayden
When questioned about the effectiveness of pairing Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Hayden expressed that having two anchors doesn’t work for the team’s batting strategy.
“I don’t think it does. I don’t think they’ll change things either. To me, they have got a front anchor out and a back anchor out, and the innings goes nowhere because they are both well and truly stable,” Hayden told ESPNcricinfo.“It’s fine to have one stabilizer, I think it’s really important to have a mind like Steve Smith at the top of the order when you start to set totals or chase totals, you need that computer mind, but when you have two of them in a row I think it creates pressure through the top six so I’d make a change there.”
Cameron Green At The Top – Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden suggested that Cameron Green should be given the freedom to open for Australia, emphasizing Green’s ability to score aggressively.
“Give him a license, Cam Green at the top. To me, he’s a kid who hasn’t necessarily found his tempo in any format of the game but what we saw here during the IPL is that Mumbai Indians just sent him out and said, kid, just smash it,” Hayden added.
“He’s got huge levers, got great scoring abilities. Not so good when it comes to playing spin through the middle but by that stage if he’s smashed Pakistan for 70 or 80, he’s done his job.”
“Mitch [Marsh] won’t like to come down to three because he’s had great success in his ODI career opening but soon enough you are going to get [Travis] Head back in there so ultimately Mitch is going to bat three, so make the change, create the initiative, do something different rather than sit and wait.”
