David Warner tagged the villain if Australia lose to India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Australia says Matthew Hayden will miss David Warner's dynamic approach as an opening batsman in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia will play five Test matches in December-January which will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.

David Warner retired from international cricket after Australia's home series win against Pakistan earlier this year. It was Steve Smith who took up the opening spot after Warner's retirement. However, he was unsuccessful in that position as he was in the middle-order.

Matthew Hayden, an attacking Test opener in his playing days said that Australia's opening slot looks insecure with David Warner retired.

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David Warner Gave A Great Service To Australia Cricket: Matthew Hayden

"David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I'd created through the 2000s. His strike rates in excess of 80 (70.19) gave great momentum to the top order which, otherwise, is quite conservative. So I think he's an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace them" said Hayden in his recent visit to Mumbai.

He further said that he is against the idea of Steve Smith as an opener in Test cricket. In 8 innings as an opener, Smith averages 28.50 which is way lower compared to his averages at numbers three four, and five.

"Steve Smith averages 65 (56.97 and has 30 (32) Test match hundreds. You know the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different. It didn't take long to discover that [in New Zealand earlier in the year when Smith as an opener was not exactly a success]. I said at the time that I didn't like the change. I think it's crazy to think that you have the world's best-in-class batter in a certain position. And then you change to a completely different position" Hayden said.

The former Australian opener said that a five-match Test series against India will be way more exciting than a three or four-match Test series. The series was extended to five Test matches starting with Australia touring India earlier this year.

The first Test in Australia starts from November 22 in Perth followed by the second Test in Adelaide from December 6 (D/N Test). Brisbane hosts the third Test from December 14, the MCG fourth Test on December 26, and the SCG fifth Test on January 3.

India have won their last two Test series down under. Australia, on the other hand, have not won at home against India for over 10 years, since the home series in 2014/15.

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