Cricket Legend

Matthew Hayden AM promotes a lifestyle centered on family, community, sustainability and social responsibility, through the passionate celebration of sports, wellness, recreation and leisure pursuits. 

Rewarded by his sport with every honour on offer, 'Haydos' is active in the community through his involvement with the Jane McGrath Cancer Foundation. He is an ambassador for the PCFA (Prostrate Cancer Foundation) and AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation).  He is also Co-Patron for Ronald McDonald House and Champagnat Trust.

A reputation as a hard-hitting opening batsman saw him make his international debut in 1993 against England. Matthew's breakthrough finally came in Australia's 2000-2001 tour of India, in which he stood alone amongst the Australian batsmen. He went on to score a record 1391 runs in Test cricket in 2001 including centuries in four consecutive Tests against South Africa.

In 2002 Matthew was the runaway winner of Australian cricket's highest individual accolade, the Allan Border Medal, and named Australia's most outstanding Test Player of the Year. Confirmation of his status amongst the top echelon of batsmen was given when Matthew recorded the highest individual score of 380 against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003, surpassing the previous mark of 375 held by the West Indies' Brian Lara.

Matthew Hayden's attitude to life and cricket is indomitable and not quite typical. He has rewritten the role description for a cricket legend. On retirement from international cricket Matthew announced his belief in Indigenous Australia and his commitment to finding the "next Indigenous Australian to wear the Baggy Green". Matthew founded The Tiwi College Project, which seeks to improve the general health and well being of disadvantaged indigenous youth by addressing obvious health challenges and improving educational opportunities.

From a rural upbringing and a boarding school education, Hayden's taste for the outdoors, good food (he has written three highly successful cookbooks) and family offer a familiar and likable counterpoint to his dizzying exploits as one of our most potent cricketers. Matthew also has his own business and has also been a Lifestyle Channel presenter with his own show, Matthew Hayden's Homeground.