Josh HazlewoodThe Australian pacemaker is “a little off” from regaining full fitness after sustaining a lateral chest strain during the first Ashes 2021/22 test in Brisbane, which ultimately ruled him out for the second and third Ashes became exams.
It has been speculated that Josh Hazlewood would be fit for the ongoing Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but Captain Pat Cummins said the bowler was still “pretty sore” on Saturday’s announcement of the Playing XI, adding added that the fourth test at SCG could see it become active again.
Josh Hazlewood will now work to be fit for Sydney (Getty Images)
Josh Hazlewood admits he has a slight tear in the muscles of his ribs
Victoria Pace Bowler Scott Boland made a surprise debut in the Boxing Day Test against England while Australia are cautious about a minor leg injury to Jhye Richardson while Josh Hazlewood is still unfit.
Scott Boland, 32, becomes fourth indigenous cricketer after Faith Thomas, Jason Gillespie and Ashleigh Gardner. He’s one of two changes that see Pat Cummins returning in place of Michael Neser.
Josh Hazlewood, who was part of the Australian T20 World Cup winning squad last month, won in the 1st, excluded for the subsequent 2nd and 3rd Tests.
He didn’t play in Brisbane on the third afternoon and was sent for a scan on Friday night which showed he was at least fit enough to bowl on Saturday. The pacemaker with the right arm (14-6-32-1) came through six overs on day four and claimed the Jos Buttler, which ultimately was a nine-wicket win for the hosts.
Before starting the third test, Hazlewood said, “I’m gone a little longer, (this test) is probably a week early. We’re still not sure we’ll take this week as it comes and probably put a bowl on day 3 or day 5, see how it goes, and then build from there. “
“The workload is still there from the first test, but obviously I haven’t had a bowl in 10-12 days and we’ll see how it goes on day 3,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying.
Pat Cummins Credit: AAP
The extent of the 30-year-old’s injury is still unclear and Josh Hazlewood, the fifth-placed test bowler on the ICC rankings, said he was going “one day at a time”. The pace bowler, who made his debut in 2014, added that his rib muscles are “slightly ripped”.
“It’s probably more about that feeling, it’s a bit interesting, it’s the ribs between the ribs, there’s a small crack. I’ve never had it before, I had the normal oblique lateral load that is the usual one, but we take every day as it comes and basically decide how I feel. “
Scott Boland, who previously played 14 ODIs and three T20Is in 2016, was selected as something of a home game specialist after scooping 96 wickets at 25.56 in 27 top-rated games at MCG.
Josh Hazlewood Rues missed Boxing Day test
Josh Hazlewood said he was disappointed in missing the action at the traditional Boxing Day Test.
“I guess once you get down here you see the floor and the crowd coming in, it’s pretty disappointing and the same as last week in Adelaide. I love being there and not being able to see it on TV, it was disappointing. “
Scott Boland will be the newest Australian Fast Access to deploy – Getty Images
Josh Hazlewood’s place on the team was taken by Scott Boland, who became the 463rd cricketer to wear the baggy green on Sunday. He is also the fourth Indigenous player to play for Australia.
After 124 runs, Australia finished day 1 of the ongoing third Ashes Test match on Sunday with 61 for one at Stump’s against England at the MCG in Melbourne. The hosts lost the decisive wicket from David Warner, who was dismissed by James Anderson after 38 runs off 42 balls.
England had previously been eliminated for 185. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon were the picks of the Australian bowlers, who each won three wickets. Pacer Mitchell Starc took two, while Cameron Green and debutant Scott Boland also each chose a wicket to put Australia in the driver’s seat. For England, Captain Joe Root was the standout performer, scoring another fifty.
