India vs Australia: Josh Hazlewood’s Availability in Doubt, Casting Shadow Over Australia’s Brisbane Test Plans
Josh Hazlewood, sidelined with a side strain, missed Australia's second Border Gavaskar Test against India but is hopeful of returning for the third Test in Brisbane. The 33-year-old bowled two full spells at Adelaide Oval to test his recovery. Hazlewood stated that his availability will depend on how he recovers in the next 24 hours. If fit, he will replace Scott Boland.
Australia’s fast bowler and one of the most important links in the bowling department of the Australian team, Josh Hazlewood, missed the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India due to a side strain. Hazlewood played a crucial role in the first Test, taking the key wicket of Virat Kohli, but was replaced by Scott Boland for the second Test.
Hazlewood is now focusing on his recovery and hopes to be fit for the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, scheduled for Saturday. He bowled two full spells at Adelaide Oval to simulate match conditions, with his availability depending on how he recovers in the next 24 hours. He said:
I think it’ll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really. It’s just that repetitive and obviously two spells make a big difference. Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again on the same day, and the intensity has got to be right up there as well.
Despite his history of side injuries, Hazlewood described this particular strain as minor. He also emphasized that if the Adelaide Test had been the last of the summer, he might have risked playing. If Hazlewood returns, Scott Boland will make way for him in the playing XI.
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