Cricket legend Matthew Hayden, 48, becomes a trade envoy to boost ties with India as Australia's relations with China deteriorate
- Matthew Hayden has been appointed to the Board of the Australia-India Council
- He is well known in cricket-mad India, where he scored a double century in 2001
- Australia wants to improve ties with India as tensions with China escalate
Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden has landed a new job as a trade envoy developing ties with India.
The 48-year-old has been appointed to the Board of the Australia-India Council, which aims to improve relations and trade between the two nations.
Hayden is well known in cricket-mad India, where he famously scored a double century in Chennai in 2001, and has previously worked at the Institute for Australia India Engagement.
Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden (pictured with his wife Kellie and three children) has landed a new job as a trade envoy developing ties with India
The 48-year-old (pictured with wife Kellie) has been appointed to the Board of the Australia-India Council, which aims to improve relations and trade between the two nations
Australia wants to improve ties with India as tensions with China, the nation's largest trading partner, escalate in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
A country of 1.4billion, India is as key export market for Australian goods and services as the federal government looks to diversify away from Beijing.
Hayden, a father of three, has the highest Test score by an Australian with his 380 not out against Zimbabwe in 2003.
He played 103 Tests for his nation, scoring 30 centuries.
Share this article
Hayden is well known in cricket-mad India, where he famously scored a double century in Chennai in 2001
Australia wants to improve ties with India as tensions with China, the nation's largest trading partner, escalate in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Pictured: Hayden in India
Since retirement in 2009, Hayden has been living in his home state of Queensland and has been an advocate for various health, youth and charitable organisations.
In 2010 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to cricket, and to the community.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne welcomed Hayden's appointment in a statement on Monday.
Since retirement in 2009, Hayden has been living in his home state of Queensland. Pictured: Hayden after scoring 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003
Most watched News videos
- Moment fire breaks out 'on Russian warship in Crimea'
- Horrifying moment car ploughs into spectators at Sri Lanka racetrack
- Shocking moment man hurls racist abuse at group of women in Romford
- Shocking moment balaclava clad thief snatches phone in London
- Russian soldiers catch 'Ukrainian spy' on motorbike near airbase
- Mother attempts to pay with savings account card which got declined
- Shocking moment passengers throw punches in Turkey airplane brawl
- Shocking footage shows men brawling with machetes on London road
- Trump lawyer Alina Habba goes off over $175m fraud bond
- Staff confused as lights randomly go off in the Lords
- Lords vote against Government's Rwanda Bill
- China hit by floods after violent storms battered the country
