Hayden under injury threat for rest of the series

Sydney, Jan 8 (UNI) Australian opener Matthew Hayden could well be ruled out for the remaining two Tests against India following a hamstring tendon strain which he suffered during the second Test at Sydney.

Hayden who scored 123 in the second innings of Sydney Test was forced to bat with a runner during the innings and there is some uncertainty over the seriousness of his injury that will be assessed this week.

Australia's team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said ''It could take one week to heal, it could take five weeks. We are waiting to see how it looks in a few days.'' If Hayden is ruled out from the remaining two Tests, it will be a big loss for Australia as he has been a prolific scorer against the Indians.

''The thing with tendons is sometimes they don't heal too well because the blood supply around them isn't too good,'' the physio added.

However, Kountouris did not completely rule out the possibility that Hayden will miss the remaining two Tests.

''He has a chance to play in Perth but we are waiting to see how his symptoms are.'' Hayden, who has also been battling a back injury, will rest in Brisbane for the next three days before starting a rehabilitation program and is then expected to fly to Perth with the team and be assessed by Kountouris.

If Hayden is ruled out, West Australian left-hander Chris Rogers who was a contender to take Justin Langer's opening position until a bout of appendicitis paved the way for Phil Jaques, could make his Test debut on his home ground.

Kountouris further added that all-rounder Andrew Symonds (ankle spur) was not in doubt for the Perth Test.

Along with Hayden left-handed Chinaman Brad Hogg too is under a fitness threat and had scans yesterday after it was feared he had broken a finger while fielding in Sydney. Scans, though, revealed no fracture, but Hogg still remains in pain.

Hogg's loss would not hurt Australia a great deal as the spinner returned with unimpressive bowling average of 51.50 in the two Tests against India.

Australia would prefer to unleash paceman Shaun Tait on the fast and bouncy WACA pitch.

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