By IANS,
Sydney : Australian opener Matthew Hayden says he will take his time out to decide on his Test cricket future.
His 15-year international cricket career may be under siege, but Hayden said he had “nothing to fear”.
The 37-year-old will this week embark on a sabbatical to Stradbroke Island with wife Kellie and their three children. He pledged to use the downtime to weigh up the biggest decision of his cricketing life.
“I’m just glad to have some time out now with my family,” Hayden was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.
“The next week or so will be crucial. I’m getting away, we’ll definitely be heading to ‘Saturday’ (his getaway at Stradbroke Island) and getting some quality family time,” Hayden said.
“I’ll be kayaking with the kids, surfing, I’ll be doing some fishing and diving. I’ll be exploring the reef with Grace (his six-year-old daughter) and going 22 km out to sea for a spot of fishing.”
Hayden was axed Wednesday from Australia’s one-day and T20 sides, and many believe he will be jettisoned altogether when Test selectors meet next month to name the touring party to South Africa.
“I need to allow myself the time to think about my future. I honestly have not come to a decision,” he said.
“What this break will do is allow me the time I need to talk to Kel and allow ourselves to get off the roller-coaster ride and the travelling roadshow that cricket is and get some clarity of thought around the next stage of our lives,” Hayden said.
“I don’t fear retirement, not at all. I think I’ve earned the opportunity to think about my future, and now I’m going to take it.