Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden rushed to hospital after freak accident
Former Australian Test cricketer Matthew Hayden was rushed to hospital after a nasty surfing accident last week, which caused the fracturing of his neck and head lacerations.
In a post on his Instagram account, the former opening batsman was almost unrecognisable due to his injuries, as he lay pictured in a neck brace, and revealing his neck and head injuries, as well as a black eye.
Hayden said he had hit his head on a sandbank while surfing with his son Josh on a family holiday in Stradbroke Island in Queensland on Friday.
“Took on Straddie back bank yesterday with @josh_hayden28 and lost!!! Game over for a few days,” he wrote.
The cricket legend acknowledged he “truly dodged a bullet” with the freak accident, referring to a brush with breaking his neck, and thanked everyone who had come to his rescue.
“Ok. Last attention seeking post I promise. Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive,” he wrote. “Especially Ben & Sue Kelley for the fast diagnosis with MRI, CT scan. Fractured C6, torn C5, C4 ligaments. Safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. Thank you everyone. On the road to recovery.”
During his 15-year cricket career, Hayden racked up 103 matches, 8600 runs and 30 centuries in Test cricket. He retired from Test cricket in 2009.