Matthew Hayden Analyzes Batting Struggles in WTC Final
Insights on Batting Techniques from the WTC Final
New Delhi [India] - Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has shared his thoughts on the disappointing performance of batters from South Africa and Australia during the World Test Championship (WTC) final, attributing some of the dismissals to "clear technical deficiencies," as reported by a Media House.
Throughout the first two days of this thrilling match, an astonishing total of 28 wickets fell, with each team losing 14, as players struggled to handle the seam movement. Historical analysis indicates that the pitch did not exhibit any unusual behavior compared to previous matches.
In the second innings on Day 2, key players like Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, and captain Pat Cummins quickly returned to the pavilion within just 42 balls, leaving Australia in a precarious position at 73/7.
Hayden emphasized that Test cricket demands a different mindset, where batters must adapt to lower scoring rates, contrasting sharply with the fast-paced nature of white-ball formats. In T20 cricket, players often create space for themselves to accelerate their scoring.
This approach was evident in the dismissals of Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and Webster during the second innings. They failed to minimize the distance between themselves and the ball, leading to thick outside edges or being trapped in front of the stumps.
"Test match cricket requires you to be comfortable with slower scoring, which is the opposite of what shorter formats promote. T20 batting encourages players to move away from the ball for power, but in Tests, that can be a disadvantage. The dismissals of Labuschagne, Green, and Webster were all due to not getting close to the ball," Hayden stated on the Media House.
He further explained, "We were taught to 'smell the leather'—to let the ball come under your eyes. In the longer format, this means moving towards the ball, not away from it. Currently, there are evident technical issues as these players adjust back to Test cricket."
Former Indian coach and cricketer Sanjay Bangar also commented on the positional play of modern batters, which can help them excel in certain conditions but make them vulnerable in others.
"This could be a recurring issue among Australian and South African players. Many, like Marnus Labuschagne, frequently get out on the fifth or sixth stump line. Standing on off stump leads to a defensive mindset, causing hesitation in foot movement towards the ball," he noted.
"Concerns about LBW can impact technique. Successful batters in England, such as Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Joe Root, often positioned themselves leg side of the ball. While this works on bouncy pitches, it can leave players exposed in these conditions," he added.