Hayden in doubt for Auckland

Matthew Hayden is in danger of missing the third one-day match against New Zealand with a shoulder injury after re-sealing his spot with a satisfying hundred at Christchurch last night. Hayden, who was unable to collect the Man-of-the-Match award, ended the game with his right arm in a sling having left the field following a diving catch to remove Chris Cairns.

The injury, a grade-one strain to the AC joint, is an untimely blow for Hayden in his successful comeback from being dropped for the two VB Series finals against Pakistan. Hayden collected 71 in the first match against New Zealand and 114 in the second to set up Australia's 106-run win, which gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

"It's pretty sore, as you expect ten hours out from the injury," Hayden told ABC Online. "But as a gut feeling it's probably a little bit better than I first anticipated."

Alex Kountouri, the team physiotherapist, will monitor Hayden's improvement over the next two days before a decision is made on his fitness for Saturday's game at Auckland. "There is a fair amount of swelling around the joint, so we will have a clearer picture as to how Matthew is progressing once that swelling subsides," Kountouri said. "While there is some doubt over his chances to play in the third game, he certainly hasn't been ruled out."

Cairns hit Andrew Symonds towards deep square leg and Hayden rubbed his shoulder as he stood up from the spectacular rolling catch. Hayden went quickly from the team huddle to the dressing room and his arm was put in a sling to ease pressure on the joint.