The giant, muscular Australian left-hander has transformed himself from a player fighting for his place to one of the most prolific opening batsmen in the world.
The reputation of a hard-hitting opening batsman saw him make his international debut in 1993. A Test cap followed soon after. He managed just 15 and 5 in his debut. Australia lost the match and Hayden was left in the international wilderness for nearly three years. A maiden Test century of 125 against the West Indies at Adelaide in 1997 revealed much of his talent, but continuing poor form saw him dropped once again.
Hayden came back with a bang when Australia toured India in 2001. Previously averaging only 24 in Tests, he notched up 569 runs in the three Tests.
His rise to the top was confirmed last October when he surpassed Brian Lara's 375 setting a new world record with an innings of 380 against Zimbabwe at Perth.
At the age of 33, Hayden is likely play at least another few years. He has a phenomenal average in excess of 54 and close to 5,500 Test runs.
Hayden has been integral in establishing Australia's dominance of world cricket at present, and shows few signs of slowing down.