Josh Hazlewood Fitness Update: Will He Play the Brisbane Test?
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has given a key fitness update in the Adelaide Test against India. He is hopeful about playing in the third Test in Brisbane on December 14. In a mid-match interview, Hazlewood said his recovery from a side strain is going well. He has “ticked off a few boxes” in his rehab.
Australia is missing Hazlewood, a key bowler. Scott Boland has replaced him for the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, where India was bowled out for a modest 180. Hazlewood’s first-Test heroics, including a four-wicket haul, troubled Indian batters.
Hazlewood’s Road to Recovery
In a conversation with Ricky Ponting and Mel McLaughlin on 7 Cricket, Hazlewood said, “The body is feeling pretty good. I mean, it has been a long gap between tests. It has given me a few more days to try and recover.
We have ticked off a few boxes this week so far. I have probably got a big one to tick off on day four and bowl a few spells throughout the day and see how it pulls up. So fingers crossed for that day, I think. I had a little one on (a bowling session) one of the main training days out here in the middle just to get loose, just sort of, you know, 70 percent.”
“But then sort of ticked some sort of above 80 percent, 90 percent yesterday in the nets. And then we will just sort of keep building from there. I hope so (Playing in Brisbane), the side has been a bit of a niggle for me for a few years of now, we are being cautious. But it is a minor strain. Ticked a few boxes already, few more to tick. Fingers crossed,” he concluded.
Adelaide Test Highlights
- India’s Struggles: After opting to bat first, India could only manage 180. Contributions from KL Rahul (37), Shubman Gill (31), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) were the lone bright spots. Mitchell Starc was devastating, taking 6/48. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland got two wickets each.
- Australia Dominates: At the close of session two on Day 2, Australia had surged to 332/8, leading by 152 runs. Travis Head was sensational, smashing 140 off 141 balls. Marnus Labuschagne supported him with a gritty 64.
What’s Next for Hazlewood and Australia?
Australia lost the first Test by 295 runs at Perth. As they push for a comeback, Hazlewood’s availability for Brisbane could be a game-changer. His return would boost a bowling lineup with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland.
