Matthew Hayden hospitalised after suffering spinal injuries while surfing

Australia batting great Matthew Hayden has been hospitalised after suffering head and spinal injuries while surfing with his son in Queensland.

The 46-year-old admitted to have ‘dodged a bullet’ as he posted a photo on his Instagram with him in neck brace, writing he suffered a verterbrate fracture and torn ligaments while surfing with his son Josh on Friday at Stradbroke Island.

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The former Australia Test opener posted a pair of photos on Instagram revealing the injuries.

“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,” Hayden wrote on Saturday.

Hayden, who played 103 Tests, 161 ODIs and 9 T20Is during his 15-year international career, revealed he had undergone MRI and CT scans and that he’s recovering well thanking everyone for their support.

“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,” he wrote.

This isn’t the first time that Hayden has had a near-fatal accident. In 1999, along with Australia teammate Andrew Symonds, the duo had to swim for their lives during a fishing sojourn when their boat capsized in Moreton Bay.

“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,” Hayden told Courier Mail. “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.”