Matthew Hayden to open cricket academy in Chennai
Former Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden is all set to open a cricket academy in India. Hayden who also plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL would be opening this academy in Chennai by 2010.
Photo: Matthew Hayden playing for Australia
Hayden signed a pact with the Chennai Super Kings franchise to set up the academy, on July 25, 2009.
Matthew Hayden has also mentioned that he would look to other experienced cricketers like Stephen Fleming of NewZealand and Rahul Dravid of India for support. “Rahul Dravid has those values in him which I can also identify with. I had a few long discussions with him in South Africa regarding this and I would surely love to have him with me,” Hayden said.
Hayden wishes to impart his cricketing knowledge to the numerous youngsters in India who wish to play for the country some day. Cricket is a famous sport in India and Hayden wants to impart proper ‘cricketing education’ to youngsters.
“It’s not just about cricket. We should be able to understand that the kids who will be training in the academy may not go on to become cricketers in life. Education is something they can always fall back on and it will be given equal importance,” he further added.
Earlier Steve Waugh worked for Udayan in Kolkata which has inspired Matthew Hayden to start his own academy in India. “I have always been inspired by the way Steve (Waugh) worked for Udayan in Kolkata. Similarly, I am also looking forward to do something for Chennai,” he said.
Matthew Hayden, who retired earlier in 2009, has been one of the most successful cricketers for Australia. He aims to inculcate the ‘Hayden way’ among the budding cricketers through his academy.