Massive Setback for Australia: Injured Josh Hazlewood to Miss Key Tests

Australia has suffered a significant setback in the ongoing 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy , as pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood sustained a right calf strain. Hazlewood, who had shown promising form, will not return for the remainder of the Gabba Test against India and is likely to miss the following fixtures in Melbourne and Sydney.

The injury occurred during warm-ups on Day 4 of the Test match. Despite attempting to bowl a single over with reduced pace, Hazlewood walked off the field after consulting skipper Pat Cummins and team physio Nick Jones. Medical scans later confirmed the calf strain, leading to his immediate exclusion from the match.

“A squad replacement will be made in due course,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed.

The absence of Hazlewood has posed a challenge for Australia, leaving Cummins with one less bowling option. This has complicated Australia’s plans to dismiss India cheaply before the Follow-On threshold. At the Tea interval on Day 4, India stood at 201/7, still trailing by 244 runs.

Hazlewood’s absence is particularly disappointing as he was Australia’s standout bowler in the opening Test in Perth. He had missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain but showed signs of returning to top form in the first innings at the Gabba, claiming the prized wicket of Virat Kohli.

With Hazlewood now sidelined, Scott Boland is the likely candidate to step in for the matches at Melbourne (December 26-31) and Sydney (January 3-7). Boland had previously impressed in Adelaide during Hazlewood’s absence and boasts excellent statistics at the MCG.

Former Australian cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe raised questions about the decision to rush Hazlewood back into the squad. Speaking to Fox Sports, O’Keeffe speculated that Australia’s strategy may have been to rotate pacers based on pitch conditions.

“I think they had in mind that Hazlewood would play this Test and miss Melbourne, where he struggles most, and (Mitchell) Starc would miss Sydney, where he hasn’t performed well,” said O’Keeffe. “But now, Boland will likely step in, and rightly so, because his numbers at the MCG are irresistible. Still, there will be questions about Hazlewood’s fitness going into this match.”

Hazlewood’s injury casts a shadow over Australia’s campaign as they strive to defend their home turf against a resilient Indian side.