Australian opener Matthew Hayden has ruled out retiring from international cricket for at least another year, saying he wants to help the team rebuild itself after the departure of legends like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
Hayden, who was in sensational form during the just concluded World Cup, topping the batsmen's chart scoring 659 runs at an average of 73.22, said he was keen to help the youngsters during Australian cricket's transition phase.
The Aussies, who won the World Cup for a record third time in a row, are preparing for life without McGrath and Warne and Hayden said he did not want to add to the void by retiring.
"This side wants to stay together for a little bit longer. I think we've got a job to do within cricket just to try and set it up for the next stage of Australian cricket," he was quoted as saying by The Herald Sun.
Hayden said he was not expecting his opening partner Adam Gilchrist to call it quits anytime soon either.
"I don't think you'll see too many retirements, over the next 12 months anyway," he added.
The big-hitting batsman, whose place in the team was under scrutiny before the World Cup, struck three hundreds and a fifty to emerge as tournament's top-scorer, prompting skipper Ricky Ponting to say that the left-hander should not think of retirement for another two years.
Meanwhile, Hayden has reasons to rejoice on the personal front as well as he prepares to become father for a third time. He left his World Cup celebrations in the Caribbean midway to return for the child's birth.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Hayden has reasons to rejoice on the personal front as well as he prepares to become father for a third time. He left his World Cup celebrations in the Caribbean midway to return for the child's birth.
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