Thursday May 29, 2008
ANTIGUA - Matthew Hayden will return home from Australia's tour of West Indies after failing to recover from the Achilles injury which ruled him out of last week's first Test in Kingston.
The 36-year-old opener did not even attempt to pass a fitness test in the lead up to that match after struggling to run in the three weeks leading up to the match.
It had been hoped he would shrug off the complaint in time for the commencement of the second Test in Antigua on Friday. However, such is the extent of the injury he has been forced to withdraw from the remainder of the three-Test and five one-day international tour.
"Matthew Hayden's right Achilles tendon injury has not made sufficient progress during his time in the West Indies and as such he will not be able to participate in the second Test and was highly unlikely to be available for the third Test," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
"With the large volume of cricket to be played over the next 18 months it was decided he should return to Australia to undergo rehabilitation and consult specialists.
"This means he will not be available for the five one-day internationals against the West Indies."
The news comes as a blow to the Australians' hopes of wrapping up the Test series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, following their 95-run win in Kingston.
In Hayden's absence openers Phil Jacques and Simon Katich could only provide an aggregate of 13 runs each in two innings.
The Australia batting line-up should, however, be boosted by the return of vice captain Michael Clarke who missed the opening Test after being granted compassionate leave to stay with his partner in Australia following the death of her father earlier this month.
Clarke has since flown out to the Caribbean and is expected to take his place in the Australian middle order.
Brad Hodge resumed his Test career as Clarke's replacement in the opening Test and following Hayden's injury Cricket Australia national selection panel chairman, Andrew Hilditch, revealed the Victorian would remain in the Caribbean for the rest of the tour.
"It is obviously disappointing for Matthew and the Australian cricket side, but the priority now is for Matthew to return home, get specialist advice and commence preparation for a return to cricket for the Top End Tour against Bangladesh, the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and our forthcoming tour to India," Hilditch said.
"It means that Brad Hodge will remain with the side which is richly deserved given his strong performance in the first Test.
"We will be meeting in the next few days to discuss Matthew's replacement for the one-day tour of the West Indies."
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