Tim Paine hits back at Matthew Hayden’s criticism of Australian cricket

Former Test captain Tim Paine has firmly hit back at Matthew Hayden’s criticism of the current Australian cricket team set-up.

Former Test captain Tim Paine has hit back at Matthew Hayden’s comments about the dearth of Australian cricket greats involved in the national team’s set-up.

Hayden made headlines last week when he told Wisden he would not consider coaching Australia following Justin Langer’s acrimonious exit from the role.

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Hayden, who formed one of Australia’s most successful opening Test partnerships with Langer, criticised the lack of public backing from senior players in the lead-up to Langer’s highly-publicised resignation.

Langer was replaced by Andrew McDonald in April last year when Cricket Australia opted not to give him a long-term contract extension despite a successful period in which Australia won the 2021 T20 World Cup and a home Ashes series 4-0.

“I wouldn’t (coach Australia), no,” Hayden said.

“After Justin and his treatment, I wouldn’t have any part of trying to coach Australia because I just don’t feel that’s something I would enjoy.

“I really love Australian cricket and I really love broadcasting on the current cricket team. I think they’re a magnificent team but in terms of an investment, no, it’s not something that I’d even consider.”

Matthew Hayden (right) says he won’t coach Australia.

Hayden said no Aussie greats are involved with the current team. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Hayden has worked with Pakistan’s national team as batting coach and head coach at recent T20 World Cups.

The 52-year-old also noted that none of Australia’s modern greats are currently assisting the national men’s team in coaching or administration — while Langer was at the helm, former Test captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh helped mentor the team.

“What’s quite interesting is that there’s not a former great that is actually at the helm of Australian cricket. Not on,” Hayden continued.

“Not as a chairman of selectors, not as a coach, not as a board director. At no layer is there leadership that’s got a former great player of Australian cricket operating within that team unit.

“That, to me, is surprising considering we’ve just come out of three great eras or decades of Australian cricket.”

But Paine disputed Hayden’s suggestion no Australian cricket greats are involved in the current set-up as a coach or selector.

Paine said on SEN: “He was going all day, but one: What’s a great player?

“George Bailey (chief selector) played cricket for Australia and had a 20-year career, Andrew McDonald played Test cricket for Australia and had a 20-year career, Michael Di Venuto (assistant coach) played for Australia and had a 25-year career.

Tim Paine says you don’t need to have been a great player to be a great coach. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“I would consider them great players, they are not great Test players, but they’ve been involved in cricket for a very long time, and they know what they’re doing.

“That’s the first thing.”

“Secondly … being a great player in any sport is not a rite of passage to being a great coach, a great administrator or a great selector,” Paine continued.

“What you want is the best people in those positions, whether they’ve played 100 Tests or zero Tests.

“You give me a footy coach, apart from back in the day with Leigh Matthews and Ron Barassi, back then it happened a bit more, but coaching has evolved a hell of a lot from those days.

“It’s a different kettle of fish and more often than not, the great players don’t have the empathy, the compassion … they’re a bit different most of the time.

“That’s why these types of players end up, I think being better coaches and better selectors.”

Originally published as Tim Paine hits back at Matthew Hayden’s criticism of Australian cricket