January 08, 2008	Tuesday	Zilhaj 28, 1428

SYDNEY, Jan 7: Australian opener Matthew Hayden is a doubt for the third Perth Test against India because of a thigh injury, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Hayden suffered an injury to his upper right thigh muscle while taking a quick single during his second-innings century in the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground and needed a runner to bat on.

His injury prevented him from fielding during Sunday’s final day, when Australia completed victory by 122 runs.

Hayden, the 36-year-old left-hander, will continue to be monitored by team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris in the lead-up to the third Test, which is scheduled to start at the WACA Ground on Jan 16.

“We’ll be monitoring the situation over the coming days, but there’s been no immediate decision made on his fitness yet,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said on Monday.

Hayden, 36, has made a brilliant start to this series by scoring centuries in the first two Tests, which drew him level with the legendary Don Bradman on 29 Test hundreds.—AFP