Former Australian Test opener Matthew Hayden admits he's lucky to have survived after suffering head and spinal injuries while surfing on a family holiday in Queensland.
The 46-year-old was surfing with his son Josh off Stradbroke Island on Friday before being hurt in an apparent spill and taken to hospital for scans.
Hayden was left with a fractured C6 and torn C5, C4 ligaments in his neck as well as a bloodied forehead.
"Last attention seeking post, I promise," he wrote in a post online on Sunday night.
"Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive.
"Safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. On the road to recovery."
