The Buzz

Hayden's painted willow

Matthew Hayden made a splash with his promotion of the Mongoose during the IPL but he’s gone back to the old-fashioned bat for the Big Bash League

Matthew Hayden made a splash with his promotion of the Mongoose during the IPL but he’s gone back to the old-fashioned bat for the Big Bash League. Well, not quite. Old-fashioned bats don’t cost five-figure sums, which is what Hayden’s bat is worth, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. The four bats Hayden will use during the BBL have their backs painted by a Tiwi Island artist. And when the tournament is over, they will be auctioned to raise money for a school.

Australia

George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo