The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Hayden may miss warm-up games

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Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007
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Hayden may miss warm-up games

Hamilton: Australian opener Matthew Hayden's broken toe suffered during his record knock of 181 not out against New Zealand may seriously affect his preparation for the World Cup in the Caribbean next month.

Struck by yorker

Hayden was struck on the right big toe by a yorker from New Zealand seamer Mark Gillespie when on 102. He played out the rest of his innings with a runner, striking 10 sixes — an Australian record — to pass Mark Waugh's mark of 173 for the highest score by an Australian in limited-overs internationals.

Team officials thought Hayden had only suffered a bruising, but subsequent X-rays showed the veteran Queenslander had sustained a fracture.

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Hayden's condition would be assessed more closely once he returned to Brisbane on Wednesday.

"An X-ray of Matthew Hayden's right foot has shown a fracture," he said. "He will see a specialist in Brisbane on Wednesday, at which point his medical management will be outlined, including his return to play."

While Hayden will likely be fit in time for the World Cup, the usual three to four weeks' time for the healing of a toe fracture might leave him unable to leave Australia with the squad or take part in its two warm-up games.

`Frustrating day'

"I'm really disappointed," said Hayden. "The good news is ... we've got a bit of time, and time is the only thing that heals bone.

"It's been a pretty frustrating day. I must admit when I got hit on the toe I knew it was broken, it just felt ordinary. I couldn't put any weight on it at all."

The Australians fly to the Caribbean on February 28, with warm-up matches against Zimbabwe and England scheduled for March 6 and 9 on the island of St. Vincent.

Their first match of the tournament is against Scotland in St. Kitts on March 14. Hayden's fracture is one of several key injuries to Australian players in the leadup to the World Cup.

Brett Lee tore ankle ligaments, Michael Clarke failed a fitness test for a hip problem prior to the first game and allrounder Andrew Symonds has a shoulder injury and is in doubt for the tournament. — AP

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