Former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden has bid a final goodbye to cricket after deciding not to play for Brisbane Heat this season in the Twenty20 Big Bash League and devoting more time to his favourite passions of his young family and the Queensland beach lifestyle.
"I was the best I could be, that was something that I was proud of for 20 years. It was a great era to play in - I feel very blessed and lucky to have played with those particular Australian teams," News.com.au quoted Hayden, as saying.
"This is the end - for me, it's back to the beach and to the other side of the cricket fence. The cricket bats and balls get replaced with fishing rods and reels, surfboards and (cooking) utensils," he added.
"I would have liked a few more runs and for the Heat to go better, but I just enjoyed playing a game which is becoming a huge pillar of cricket in this country," he said.
Hayden said cricket would remain a significant part of his life and he was likely to seek a position on the Heat board.
"Whilst closing the final chapter was difficult, it feels great to be more actively involved in supporting and nurturing our next generation, especially now with my children," he said.
