Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood left the field midway during the fourth day of the third Test against India at Gabba. His departure is a big setback for Australia, who could be a bowler short in the rest of the game now.
Hazlewood entered the field late at the start of the day’s play and didn’t look comfortable when he was brought into the attack. Known to bowl around 140 kph, Hazlewood was hardly reaching the 132 kph mark.
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Josh Hazlewood leaves the field midway due to injury concerns
Josh Hazlewood suffered calf soreness before the start of Day 4. He was able to bowl just a solitary over on the day before leaving the field. Even during that single over, he didn’t look entirely comfortable.
His first ball was a wide long hop which was cut away by KL Rahul through point for a four. His fastest ball of the over was bowled at 132 kph as he kept delivering at a speed of around 130 kph mark.
A drinks break followed after Hazlewood’s over in which the quick was part of a lengthy chat with the skipper Pat Cummins, vice-captain Steve Smith, and physio Nick Jones. After a lengthy chat, Hazlewood decided to go off the field.
Cricket Australia stated Hazlewood’s availability later and confirmed that he suffered calf soreness on Thursday morning. The board also confirmed that he will be taken for scans to assess the nature of the injury.
“Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning’s warm-up. He will be taken for scans to assess the injury,” a CA spokesperson stated.
Josh Hazlewood’s recent injury concerns
This is not the first time when Josh Hazlewood has faced injury issues in the ongoing series. He also missed the last Test match in Adelaide due to side strain, which he suffered during the first Test at Perth.
Scott Boland played in his place in Adelaide and picked up five wickets in the match. However, Hazlewood was deemed fit for the ongoing Test and immediately replaced Boland despite the latter’s impressive performance.
Josh Hazlewood’s unavailability is a huge concern
The recent injury concern is not great news for Australia who are trying to push for a win. With Hazlewood unavailable at the moment, Australia is left with just two frontline quicks in Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins with Mitchell Marsh playing as the fast bowling allrounder.
If Hazlewood is ruled out of the whole match, it will put extra pressure on the other frontline fast bowlers Starc and Cummins. Australia are in front in the ongoing match currently and is looking to enforce the follow-on if they manage to reduce India below 245.
Australia scored 445 in their first innings on the back of superb centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith. In reply, India’s batting line-up struggled to cope with Australia’s fiery bowling and the stop-start nature of the match due to persistent rain.