Fresh injury concern for Australia as Hazlewood likely sidelined for series
Dec 17, 2024
Melbourne [Australia], December 17 : Australia's bid for Test series victory against India has taken a blow with experienced seamer Josh Hazlewood likely to miss the rest of the series with a calf injury, according to Cricket Australia.
Hazlewood bowled just one over during the first session on Tuesday after reporting a calf issue in the warm-up, before being taken from the field due for further assessments, as per ICC.
A replacement for Hazlewood is yet to be named.
"Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right-sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in the Test match against India in Brisbane," Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement as quoted by ICC.
"He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series," added the statement.
The 33-year-old had only just returned from a side issue that forced him to miss Australia's 10-wicket victory in Adelaide, with fellow pacer Scott Boland making way for the crucial third Test of the series at the Gabba as both teams press for a place in next year's ICC World Test Championship final.
In the first Test at Perth, Hazlewood had taken five wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the first innings.
Boland will likely take Hazlewood's spot in Australia's playing eleven for the fourth Test, held at the MCG.
Australia and India are locked at 1-1 in the five-match series, with both teams still to this point in the running for a World Test Championship Final spot, to be played at Lord's in June 2025.
In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, Hazlewood is the fifth-highest run-getter, with 57 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 19.68 and best bowling figures of 5/31. He has taken three five-wicket hauls in this cycle.
