London, Jan. 15 : As the English squad continues to struggle with sudden departures from their own ranks, sports blogs and newspapers are celebrating the exit of one of Australia's all time batting greats - opener Mathew Hayden.

Speculation is rife that Phil Jaques or Phillip Hughes would take Hayden's place, but "neither will give England''s opening bowlers quite so many sleepless nights as Hayden - Australia''s ship has lost its figurehead," declared London''s Telegraph.

The Times branded Hayden the last great survivor of the team that menaced Britain for the best part of two decades, "a fearsome opener who has left Australia with big shoes to fill".

Welsh county Glamorgan was the first British side to flag the possibility of a "coup" signing of the burly Queenslander if he was available for a full season.

"If he was available all season, without a shadow of doubt we would have to have a serious look at that," manager Matthew Maynard said.

But most blogs or media outlets simply described the relief ahead of the Ashes tour that, with Warne, Gilchrist and McGrath also gone, the intimidation of England was over.

Sportsblog likened Hayden''s mark at the crease to a rottweiler urinating on a lamp post.

"He was the very epitome of the Australian way of playing the game; with swagger, self-conviction and an absolute refusal to retreat from either confrontation or the pursuit of excellence," the blog wrote.

Another blogger described watching Hayden coming out to bat as being like watching a bouncer about to start his shift at the door.

"Ominous, and meaning business, they will do their job, someone may get hurt, then they''ll go home," it said.

In New Delhi, India''s swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag saluted Hayden, saying he had not seen an "attacking batsman of his calibre".

"His absence will be felt just as the retirement of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath was."

Sehwag, who has two Test triple centuries to his credit, said he was amazed by Hayden''s consistency over the past few years.

"In the last eight years he has scored more than 20 centuries," he said.

"You can be sure that Australia will not be able to unearth an opener who can hit 20 centuries in the next eight years. I have played eight years and managed only 15," he said. (ANI)