Not Aiden Markram ! Matthew Hayden Backs THIS IPL Star To Be X-Issue For South Africa In WTC Ultimate

The much-anticipated ICC World Check Championship (WTC) remaining between champion Australia and South Africa can be performed at Lord’s from June 11-15. 

Pat Cummins-led Australia can be trying to retain the mace that they claimed after defeating India within the earlier version of the World Check Championship Ultimate on the Oval in June 2023. However, a decided South Africa intention for his or her first ICC trophy in over twenty years, with Temba Bavuma main the cost.

Forward of the mega conflict, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden backed Tristan Stubbs to develop into the x-factor for South Africa within the ICC World Check Championship remaining in opposition to Australia. The 53-year-old feels Stubbs’ enjoying model is similar to ex-England batter Kevin Pietersen. 

Notably, Stubbs batted at quantity 5 for South Africa of their current warm-up sport in opposition to Zimbabwe at Arundel. He might bat at that very same place after they face Australia within the WTC remaining at Lord’s from June 11-15. 

“Somebody like Tristan Stubbs, I believe, could be a little bit of an X-factor. Just like the best way that Kevin Peterson was within the England facet in opposition to Australia, who can come out, begin to dominate,” mentioned Hayden to Star Sports activities.

The Temba Bavuma-led South Africa made it to their first-ever WTC remaining after ending on the high of the 2023-25 standings with a 69.44-point share. 

The 24-year-old was a part of Delhi Capitals within the just lately concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He  scored 300 runs in 14 video games at a median of fifty and a strike fee of 150.75. Although he didn’t hit a single fifty within the competitors, Hayden nonetheless feels his big-hitting potential can be feared within the WTC remaining.

“We have seen his hitting potential via the IPLs. Not that that has an excessive amount of relevance, however he is a really highly effective unit. A really typical hitter of the ball. Tall, massive physique place, and nice arms that he can hit down the bottom with. So he could be a menace,” mentioned Hayden.

Stubbs has performed 9 Check matches in his profession thus far and scored 500 runs at a median of 33.33 with two centuries and a fifty.