Matthew Hayden Critiques Australian Batting Coach Following Ashes Defeat

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has voiced his dissatisfaction with batting coach Michael Di Venuto after Australia's disappointing performance in the Fourth Ashes Test against England. Hayden highlighted the team's struggles with basic techniques and called for a change in coaching to improve the batting order. He emphasized the need for accountability and fresh perspectives within the team. As Australia leads the Ashes series 3-1, the final Test is scheduled for January 4 in Sydney. Read on to discover more about Hayden's insights and the current state of Australian cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 1, 2026, 08:53 IST

Hayden's Concerns Over Batting Techniques

In a recent discussion on SEN Cricket, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden expressed his disapproval of the current batting coach, Michael Di Venuto. This statement came after Australia's disappointing performance in the Fourth Ashes Test against England, where they lost by four wickets in a match that concluded in just two days.

Australia struggled significantly, being dismissed for scores of 152 and 132 in both innings, with no batsman managing to score 50 runs. Michael Neser was the top scorer in the first innings, while Travis Head led the runs in the second.

Di Venuto has held his coaching position since mid-2021, following a lengthy tenure as Head Coach at Surrey in the UK. However, Hayden believes there has been no noticeable improvement in the batting order during Di Venuto's time.

Hayden remarked, "That scorecard is unacceptable. Regardless of the pitch conditions, the team needs to perform better. Players like Head, Weatherald, Labuschagne, Khawaja, Carey, and Green are struggling with their fundamental techniques. Interestingly, our bowlers seem to exhibit more technical proficiency than our batsmen. Why is that?"

He further criticized the lack of fresh perspectives within the team, stating, "Michael Di Venuto has been around for at least five years. We need new voices that can influence how we approach batting. My feelings towards him are not personal; I just believe that the current batting influence has not benefited the team's development or the technical aspects of Test cricket."

Following the Melbourne match, Hayden highlighted the team's deficiencies in adapting to challenging conditions, suggesting that Di Venuto should be held responsible.

"It's not just about playing on green wickets; it's also about performing in subcontinental conditions where we've struggled despite being competitive. As much as I respect 'Diva', I believe a change is necessary. I don't want to be discussing technical issues on this podcast two years from now," he added.

Hayden emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, "At some point, someone has to take responsibility. It's like saying, 'It's green, so we will play a certain way' or 'It's spinning' as we saw in Delhi a couple of series ago, where players were sweeping on a pitch that wasn't turning at all."

Currently, Australia leads the Ashes series 3-1, having secured victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, while England achieved a notable win at the MCG. The final Test is set to take place in Sydney on January 4.