Former Australia explosive opener Matthew Hayden sustained a spine fracture, neck and facial injuries while surfing with his son in Queensland.
One of Australia's greatest openers, Hayden says he had ' dodged a bullet' as he had fractured his spine near the bast of his neck, tore several ligaments and hurt his forehead after being dumped into a sandbank.
Hayden took to his Instagram account to inform everyone and uploaded a photo of his battered face. 'Took on Straddie back bank yesterday with @josh_hayden28 and lost!!! Game over for a few days'.
Despite the injuries, Hayden appeared to be in good spirits as he thanked all his friends and fans after the incident.
'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. 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'
The 46-year old, who has played 103 Tests and 161 ODIs for the Aussies, spoke about the ghastly incident.
"It was an hour into the session and we had had half dozen waves together and I got this one right handed wave which I sort of ducked under and that is pretty much all I can remember," he told Brisbane's Courier Mail on Monday.
"I wasn't knocked out. I was speared into the top of the sandbank onto the top of my head. Then it twisted my head with my own weight and the weight of the wave.
"I heard this god almighty click in my neck. I did not get knocked out but I sort of came to and rolled up on my back." Hayden said he was able to get back onto the beach, but had scans later that day, which revealed the extent of his injuries.
Despite the scare, Hayden said he would return to surfing, adding: "The ocean gives and the ocean takes -- I will be back.
