Hayden hamstring a threat

[Danny]

Hayden strained his hamstring (probably attempting that fantastic diving catch at first slip) at the SCG on Wednesday. He should be fit to play the decider, I couldn't imagine him giving up his spot too easily.

[Danny]

Looks like I'm proved wrong. He won't play the final......that's a big call by the Aussies

[Danny]

Will play in the first Test still a little bit sore though.

Hayden still hamstrung
Sportal

Australian opener Matthew Hayden is still battling a hamstring injury and will carry the injury into Thursday's first Test against Pakistan at the WACA.

The big Queenslander suffered the injury in the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand and while he has had a week to rest it, Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott told The Australian it was still a concern.

"I don't think it's a tear, it's more of a strain. A lengthening thing, more of the tendon than the muscle itself," Alcott said. "What we were all about last week was just settling it down because we've got the three back-to-back Test matches.

"Missing last Friday night's game, which in the end wasn't played, was all about making sure he was at his best for this Test and to hold him in good stead for the next two games after that."



Alcott said Hayden's decision not to bat in the net on Monday had nothing to do with the injury and that unless he suffered a further setback, the imposing left hander will play.

"He ran around this morning and was pretty happy with it, and it felt good over the weekend. The reasons why he didn't go and do whatever he didn't do this morning are ... I don't know. It's a player preparation thing."

Hayden hasn't played a Test at the WACA since belting 380 against Zimbabwe in October last year.

[Monica]

I think we do need Matty at the moment, if only as a confidence thing leading into the rest of the season, showing a strong team and all that. But no-one in the camp is particularly worried - even Gilchrist's quoted as saying "From what I can gather, he's fine". What did it? Was it simply the flying catch in slips? It didn't seem too sinister...

[Danny]

Yeah, I know I'd hate to bowl to him. Been a lot of talk in the media for a fairly minor injury.

Chris Harris's injury, now that's more of the stuff we're looking for. Rupturing his rotator cuff and then still coming out to bat, that was fantastic (even though his stumps were skittled all over the place by McGrath)