5 lesser-known facts about Matthew Hayden

2. The Glenn McGrath episode

During the 1994-95 Benson & Hedges World Series, a match pitted Australia against Australia A in the finals, leading to a memorable confrontation between teammates Hayden and Glenn McGrath. The incident occurred during the first final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Hayden was representing Australia A against McGrath's Australian team.

In the 17th over, Hayden confidently cut one of McGrath's deliveries through backward point for four. As he casually walked to the other end, expecting the ball to reach the boundary, he faced off McGrath standing in his path, seemingly frustrated with his poor delivery. The incident escalated when Hayden nudged McGrath and fixed him with a stare.

McGrath responded by pushing Hayden away with his left hand while exchanging heated words. Hayden reacted by shaking his head at his teammate's aggressive behavior. Years later, Hayden spoke about the incident to the Cricket Australia website.

“I hit him through a backward point, and as I was turning to see whether I needed to run or whether it was ‘save your legs’, I ran straight into the corner of his arm. Having not seen it, I was under the impression he’d intentionally stuck his arm out at that time. So the whole ‘eff you’ thing has come out in both of us. It was brilliant," Haydos said.