'Stubbs can be an X-factor' - Hayden expects batter to make Pietersen-like impact in WTC Final

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden believes Tristan Stubbs can be a big impact player for South Africa in the World Test Championship 2023-25 final. The Temba Bavuma-led team will take on Australia in the 'Ultimate Test', set to begin on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London.

Hayden conceded that Stubbs can be an X-factor, just how former cricketer Kevin Pietersen was for England. He admitted the youngster can come out and dominate the opposition just how Pietersen did against the Australians.

"Someone like Tristan Stubbs, I think can be a bit of an X-factor. Similar to the way that Kevin Pietersen was in the England side against Australia, who can come out, start to dominate,” Hayden said to Star Sports.

Hayden also mentioned that the Cape Town-born cricketer is a powerful person and a conventional batter. He acknowledged that Stubbs can use his big body position and can be a big threat for the defending champions.

“We've seen his hitting ability through the IPLs. Not that that has a great deal of relevance, but he's a very powerful unit. A very conventional hitter of the ball. Tall, big body position and great hands that he can hit down the ground. So he can be a threat," he added.

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Recently, the former SA national coach Mark Boucher also mentioned that Stubbs can be a key player for South Africa in the final. He highlighted Stubbs’ strong performances in domestic cricket, which earned him a place in the Test side after proving his potential in the red-ball format.

“Tristan Stubbs has come back and played a lot of domestic cricket and basically forced his way into the Test side because of the runs that he's got," said Boucher as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.