5 legendary Australian cricketers who endured poor Test debuts

#1 Matthew Hayden

Hayden had no answer to South Africa’s menacing fast bowlers

The indomitable Border Era was reaching its final phase. Eager to set the team up for the future, Australia brought in a 22-year old to open the innings. South Africa’s pace attack smelled blood at the sight of a newcomer on a seam-friendly surface in Johannesburg.

Upon watching the more attacking Michael Slater perish for a cameo, Matthew Hayden soon followed suit after suffering a testing time at the hands of Allan Donald.

In the second innings, it was Fanie de Villiers’ canny swing which breached Hayden’s defence. He had to wait for more than two years before his next chance at the Test level. When it did come, a bout of inconsistency cost him his spot.

Upon returning to Shield cricket, the burly southpaw scored heavily and bided his time. In 2000, the selectors threw him another lifeline. This time, he latched on and never looked back.

Performance on Debut – 15 (36) and 5 (19) against South Africa at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg (1994)

Overall Test Career – 8625 runs from 103 matches at an average of 50.73 with 30 centuries and 29 fifties