Matthew Hayden - Personal Life

Personal Life

• In 2000, Hayden's boat capsized near North Stradbroke Island; he and his two companions (one of whom was Queensland and Australian teammate Andrew Symonds) were forced to swim a kilometre to safety. Hayden subsequently appeared in a campaign promoting marine safety.

• In his spare time, Hayden is a keen cook and occasionally prepares meals for his team-mates while on tour. A collection of his recipes was published in Australia in 2004 as The Matthew Hayden Cookbook. A second book, The Matthew Hayden Cookbook 2, was published in 2006.

• Prior to using a Mongoose, Hayden used a Gray-Nicolls bat with a fluorescent pink grip, to highlight and support research into a cure for breast cancer. This is at least in part inspired by his team-mate Glenn McGrath's wife struggle with this illness.

• He is married to Kellie Hayden (née Culey), and they have a daughter named Grace (born June 2002), and two sons named Joshua (born 15 April 2005) and Thomas Joseph (born May 2007).

• Hayden is a devout Roman Catholic and says "When I’m in trouble, I ask: ‘What would Christ do?'" and he crosses himself after reaching a century.

• He is patron of Parent Project Australia, a charity fighting for a cure for duchenne muscular dystrophy.

• Hayden was an Ambassador for World Youth Day 2008.

• Hayden was awarded the Australian Sports Medal on 14 July 2000.

• On 26 January 2010 he was appointed an Member of the Order of Australia for service to cricket, and to the community through support for a range of health, youth and charitable organisations.