Josh Hazlewood's Fitness Update Ahead of Busy Schedule of Cricket
Key Highlights :
Australia have provided an update on the fitness of key pacer Josh Hazlewood ahead of a busy schedule of cricket that consists of the ICC World Test Championship final against India and five Ashes Tests. Hazlewood has been battling injury issues for a prolonged period now, not playing a single Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. The experienced quick had a minimal impact in the IPL, only featuring in three matches and bowling nine overs. He last featured for Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 9 and flew back home early to Australia before their last match after reporting side soreness.
This raised concerns about his fitness ahead of a blockbuster schedule of Test cricket for Australia, with Pat Cummins' side playing the World Test Championship final against India and five Ashes Tests against England in June and July. Hazlewood has been named in the squad for the World Test Championship final as well as the first two Ashes Tests.
In a major relief for the pacer, scans have revealed no damage and he has now returned to bowling as the Australian squad prepares to depart for the UK. Cricket Australia are confident that Hazlewood will be fit and firing for the Test matches ahead, ready to aide skipper Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the pace trio. A CA spokesperson giving an update on Hazlewood stated, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, "Josh Hazlewood returned home from the IPL last weekend after experiencing minor side soreness after the completion of his most recent IPL match. "After a brief and precautionary rest period, Hazlewood returned to high-intensity bowling last week and will continue to increase his bowling workloads in preparation for the WTC and Ashes series. Hazlewood is considered fit and available for the WTC and Ashes Series."
The World Test Championship between Australia and India will be played at The Oval in London between June 7-11, with Cummins' side immediately embarking on an Ashes campaign scheduled to be held between June 16 and July 31. With Hazlewood's fitness now not a concern, Australia will be looking to make the most of the experienced pacer's services in the upcoming matches. Hazlewood has been a key figure in Australia's Test side over the last few years, and his presence will be a major boost for Cummins' side in the matches ahead.
The Australian squad will be looking to make the most of Hazlewood's services in the upcoming matches. His presence in the Test side has been a major boost for Cummins' side in the past few years, and Australia will be hoping for the same in the matches ahead. With the World Test Championship final and five Ashes Tests on the horizon, the Australian camp will be hoping that Hazlewood is able to maintain his fitness and play a major role in the matches ahead.
