Jim Mitchell

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Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden rushed to hospital after freak accident

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.

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