Josh Hazlewood’s manager, Neil Maxwell, has criticized Fox Cricket for misinterpreting the seamer’s comments during the first Test against India in Perth. Neil Maxwell accused the broadcaster of trying to create controversy by suggesting a rift within the Australian team after the humiliating loss in Perth.
During a press conference after Day 3, Hazlewood said that the batters should be questioned for their approach while chasing the target of 534. Fox Cricket panelists, including Michael Vaughan, Adam Gilchrist, and Ravi Shastri, said that his comments were a sign of division within the Australian team.
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question. I’m sort of relaxing and trying to get a bit of physio and a bit of treatment, and I’m probably looking mostly towards the next Test and what plans we can do against these batters,” Hazlewood said.
“It’s Taken So Out of Context” – Josh Hazlewood’s Manager
Neil Maxwell, who also manages Test captain Pat Cummins, said that the broadcaster took Josh Hazlewood’s remarks out of context to create unnecessary drama. He emphasized that the Australian team is closer than ever and described the interpretation as “so ridiculous.”
“It’s taken so out of context and in a negative light. You’ve never seen a closer bunch of players than the players in the last two years of Australian cricket,” Maxwell said.
“To draw that assumption from a comment from a No.11 batter saying, ‘You better ask one of the batters’ is so ridiculous. They lose complete and utter credibility,” he added.
“There’s a Desperation to Create Controversy” – Josh Hazlewood’s Manager
Neil Maxwell said that such interpretations discourage players from speaking openly to the media. He pointed out that with so many media members vying for daily stories, players have little incentive to offer detailed or candid responses.
“There’s a desperation to create controversy when you’ve got 40 [members of the] cricket media all trying to get a daily story. I just think there’s no incentive for players to provide any color in a response,” Maxwell continued.
Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of the Adelaide Test Match Due to a Side Strain
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar speculated that Hazlewood might be dropped from the playing XI due to his comments during a press conference. However, Travis Head strongly denied rumors of a rift within the team despite the Pat Cummins-led team’s heavy 295-run loss in the match.
However, Hazlewood will miss the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain sustained in the first match. He was Australia’s best bowler with five wickets at an economical rate. The second Test match between India and Australia is scheduled to commence on Friday, December 6, at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia has replaced Josh Hazlewood with Scott Boland in the playing XI for the second Test. Mitch Marsh remains in the playing XI despite dealing with back stiffness.
Also read: Australia Playing 11 for India 2nd Test at Adelaide Announced; Josh Hazlewood Faces the Wrath