Ahead of the finals of the Test Championship 2023 against India, Australian pacer Josh Hazelwood is ruled out of the game due to an injury. Hazelwood is dealing with an Achilles injury as well as a side ailment that flared up during the recent Indian Premier League and will now miss the match against India at The Oval beginning on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old has been substituted in the Australia squad by fellow fast bowler Michael Neser, who has taken 19 wickets in five County Championship matches for Glamorgan this season. Notably, Hazelwood has been struggling from the injury since Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. Informing about his health, the Cricket Australia chairman said he was about to recover.
“Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule means this is not a one-off Test match for us. This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston. With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks we will need all of our fast bowling assets”, says Chairman of selection committee George Bailey.
‘Bowling in England would be easy’, says Josh Hazelwood
Hazlewood, who has only played four Tests since January 2021 owing to a series of injuries, said cricket.com.au last week that bowling in England would be “easier on the body.” “Compared to Australia or India where it can be hot, the wickets are really hard and you’ve got to bend your back to get something out of them, in England it feels like you can just take that a couple of per cent off, bowl a bit within yourself and the wicket does enough for you”, he said.
Notably, Michael Naseer has been backed by Cricket Australia. The selection committee chief said, “Michael’s county form has been strong and knowing that he was going to be close by allowed for him to keep playing and for us to be able to call on him. He is a great strength to have as part of the fast bowling group.”
Here is how fans react to Josh Hazelwood’s injury:
Scott Boland to do the damage then. The role which Jamieson played in the last WTC final.
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) June 4, 2023
Sure, I hope you like it! ??.
If you like this project, feel free to help me with a coffee <3. pic.twitter.com/sviHdliny7
— Colorize_Bot ?? (@colorize_bot) June 4, 2023
Bahut dukh hua bro pic.twitter.com/CMXbEkaSya
— Amit. (@iOnlyAJ) June 4, 2023
Chalo India ke 30 runs extra banege ab
— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) June 4, 2023
One down. Three "scary" to go?
— Naveen (@_naveenish) June 4, 2023
Turu RCB blood??
— ????????!??_?? (@bholination) June 4, 2023
Good news for India. But Boland is also very good and he comes in.
— Shubham. (@_ShuBhamCFC) June 4, 2023
— Jim Is Here To Take Care of Him (@RoastHimJim) June 4, 2023
