Former Aussie legend and opener Matthew Hayden has recently praised his compatriot Marcus Stoinis heavily. Hayden believes that Stoinis is better than his counterpart Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
The Men in Yellow had a dismal 2018, but Stoinis single-handedly made some mark. The pace-bowling all-rounder gave some consistent performances in the last year. However he couldn’t get his team over the line, as they won only two matches last year.
Marcus Stoinis played all the ODIs for Australia last year. He was the team’s third highest run-getter with 376 runs. Through the entire year, he managed four fifties with a top score of 87. With the ball he was Aussie’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 13 from as many matches, at an average of 36.77. As a result of his efforts, he was awarded Australian ODI Player of the Year award.
On the other hand, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had a decent 2018 year. He scored 93 in the Cape Town Test. He then took five wickets against England in a Test and also scored a fifty. However Matthew Hayden believes that Stoinis is far better than Pandya.
“Marcus Stoinis is developing into a world-class all-rounder. He is unlucky not to be playing a little bit more Test cricket. He has quality in his play, although Hardik is also a fine player,” Hayden said.
“Stoinis has adopted a wider approach to his game which is winning matches for his country. Hardik Pandya also has the same responsibility, but I think right now Stoinis is a better player,” Hayden said in press.
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Pat Cummins will trouble Shikhar Dhawan
Apart from praising Stoinis, Hayden has also tipped in-form pacer Pat Cummins. Hayden believes that Cummins will trouble India’s opener Shikhar Dhawan. Cummins is currently in great form and brimming in confidence.
He was Australia’s top pacer when India toured Down Under. After that series, Cummins bagged the Man of the Series against Sri Lanka. As a result of his efforts he won the prestigious Allan Border medal. He also became the first Australian since Glenn McGrath to get to the top of ICC Test Bowlers’ rankings.
On the other hand Shikhar Dhawan has looked good in parts and bits. He is getting good starts in every match, but is failing to convert them into big score. This might be why Hayden believes Cummins will trouble Dhawan.
“Pat Cummins will have the hold on Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan loves the pace and I think Pat holds the armory with the short ball, reverse swing and the variation with slow balls. I think Patty will be the babysitter,” Hayden added cheekily.