During his playing days he was feared for his ability to destroy wayward spin bowling.
Now former Australian opener Matthew Hayden says it’s the one area where Australia can exert real dominance over England in the 2025/26 Ashes series.
“They’ve got the arsenal,” Hayden declared when asked about England’s chances of causing an Ashes upset on SENQ radio, describing the upcoming five-test series as a ‘dogfight’ that’s likely to be decided by the battle between England’s bowling and Australia’s batting.
“We’ve probably got them covered in our bowling, but their batting is a bit more solid and certainly more in form with some real confidence about it.”
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‘He doesn’t turn the ball very much’
Hayden then pinpointed England’s lack of a proven spin option as a major vulnerability he expects the Australians to exploit, particularly given Ben Stokes’ tourists will be heavily reliant on 22-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir on his first tour to Australia.
“The big tipping point might be the spinner,” Hayden said.
“Bashir is a big tall boy and yes he’ll get some bounce, but he doesn’t turn the ball very much.
“I think he’ll be targeted, whereas Nathan Lyon is just a superb spinner who finds a way to take wickets in all conditions.”
While Bashir has taken 68 wickets for England in 19 tests at 39, he will arrive in Australia with a decidedly modest first-class bowling average of just 48.7.
Further reinforcing Hayden’s concerns, Bashir’s only genuine back-up in England’s Ashes squad is batting all-rounder Will Jacks who also bowls off-spin.