Matthew Hayden has fallen into a new version of Agatha Christie's famous play The Mousetrap. In his case, it's called The Mouthtrap.

Australian cricket is responsible for most of the hype around today. If cricket was a newspaper, the Australian game would be a trashy tabloid or gossip magazine. These publications are popular, with huge readerships desperate for a dose of smutty action.

I am sorry to see Hayden fall into this trap. For a long time I held him in high regard, not merely for his obvious cricketing skills, but for his conduct on and off the field. He was a rare exception to the rule of thuggery in Aussie cricket.

'Hayden was a rare exception to the rule of thuggery in Aussie cricket'


Hayden has allowed himself to be sucked into the seedy tabloid gossip world of sensationalism by entering into a wrangle with India's Harjbajan Singh who has moulded his on-field character to the Australian model.

Hayden, by allowing himself to be drawn into this gutter debate, has joined the party. Hayden's eagerness to volley comments like 'he's an obnoxious weed' are a sign that he is willing to become a part of this brand of Johnny Knoxville cricket.

Hayden now joins a long list of Aussies who have allowed ego-tripping to cloud a closer examination of their skills and characters.

This is a sad day for those who hoped Australia could have ONE sensible and honourable gentleman.