As per reports, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood of Australia has reportedly been ruled out of the first two Tests against India. The Border Gavaskar Trophy begins on February 9 in Nagpur, and the entourage will then move to the national capital of New Delhi.
According to Cricbuzz, the fast bowler is still recovering from an Achilles injury on his left leg sustained while bowling in the Sydney Test last month. Apart from assisting his teammates with their training, Hazlewood has not participated in Australia’s pre-series camp in Alur.
The seasoned fast bowler is set to try bowling in Nagpur on Tuesday (February 7). His participation in the second Test in Delhi is also in doubt. Meanwhile, Australia is already missing Mitchell Starc for the first part of the series.
Just managing the Achilles: Josh Hazlewood
“Not sure about the first Test. It’s still a few days away but it’s sneaking up pretty quickly. Second one is obviously straight after as well. So, we’ll play it by ear over the next week and next few days and hopefully, Tuesday goes well,” Hazlewood said before Australia’s final session at the KSCA Stadium in the outskirts of Bangalore on Sunday (February 5).
“Just a bit of workload management at the moment. Just managing the Achilles. I was bowling a fair bit leading into the tour at home and sort of just pushing up against it. Probably wasn’t recovering as well as I would have liked between each session so thought we’d give it a few days here straight off the bat and try and get over the hump and have a bowl from Tuesday on (in Nagpur) and hope it goes well,” he added when asked about his lack of participation in the Alur sessions.
Here is how Twitter reacted
Ab kya ye Aussies bhi hamari tarah 2021 wali BGT banane ke chakkar mein hain kya ???
— Shiva Chandra (@ShivaCh44649163) February 5, 2023
Means more turning pitch will be there
— Pranav Kumar (@Pranav_kr31) February 5, 2023
Literally Josh hazelwood pulled out himself in fear of facing Che Pujara. Yeh daar acha laga ?
— Shakti Man ? (@IamShaktiMann) February 5, 2023
Koi fayda nhi h…it will be interesting if india prepares fast bowlers pitch while aussis preparing for spinning pitch ?
— Shubham (@shubham8bp) February 5, 2023
Warner
Khwaja
Marnus
Smith
Head
Carey
Green
Agar
Lyon
Cummins
Bolandso this will be their starting XI. Looks dangerous even without Starc and Josh
— Shahab (@ImShabi7781) February 5, 2023
Warner
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Head
Carey(WK)
Green
Ashton agar
Lyon
Cummins(C)
BolandStill looks good
— Harsh (@Imhro_45) February 5, 2023
Now what if India make a green pitch and australia doesn't have their main bowlers
— CricKom (@Deepans23952324) February 5, 2023
Good for us and we're not all out on 36 again
— Pa®a$ (@Hitman_views) February 5, 2023
If aus lost they will reason of their absence
— Shùbhàm (@imShubham__77) February 5, 2023
