Australia suffered a major blow during the third test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Pacer Josh Hazlewood sustained calf soreness and will undergo scans for a detailed review.
The 33-year-old managed to bowl only one over early on day four of the Brisbane test against India.
“Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning’s warm-up,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said. “He will be taken for scans to assess the injury.”
Josh Hazlewood managed just one over before leaving the field raising concerns of recurrence of side issue. #AUSvINDhttps://t.co/WEtayVlk3W
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024
Having missed the second test due to injury and naming Scot Boland as his replacement, was seen discussing the matter with Pat Cummins, Steven Smith and Physio Nick Jones before walking out of the field.
If Hazlewood is unable to return to the field, Australia could be troubled with a shortage of bowlers which could have an impact on the Match’s outcome.
Josh Hazlewood bowled six overs, conceded 22 runs at an economy of 3.70 and picked up the wicket of Virat Kohli.
With Hazlewood sidelined for the moment and uncertainity over his participation, Cummins will need to carefully shuffle his bowlers with India aiming to bounce back in the third test.
The third test has been moving with a stop-start game as the rain intervened tha match. With only 33 overs, bowled on day three, India’s top order failed as the day ended with trailing by 294 runs with four wickets down.
While there was no constant shower, persistent and unpredictable rain meant that umpire had to call off play due to the weather six times throughout the day.
The Gabba’s elite drainage system and the rain never really settling meant that there were constant hopes of play.
Australia’s hopes of winning the match at Gabba looks evident as India lost 6 wickets with Jadeja and Nitish Reddy at the crease.
