Australian pacer Josh Hazlewod confirmed he has a left Achilles damage, ruling him out of the primary Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which begins in Nagpur on February 9.
According to cricket.com.au, the damage was sustained partly by damp run-ups on the Sydney Cricket Ground for final month’s Test in opposition to South Africa.
Hazlewood is the third Australian pacer to go down with damage earlier than the collection. The 32-year-old joins the checklist which incorporates Mitchell Starc (finger damage, out of first Test) and allrounder Cameron Green (unlikely to bowl till the second Test, additionally as a result of an injured finger).
Australia’s remaining quick bowling choices, who can companion captain Pat Cummins, are Scott Boland and Lance Norris.
“Scotty has bowled plenty at the MCG when it was a flat wicket, it probably wasn’t swinging or reverse swinging so he knows how to work hard for a long period of time,” Hazlewood informed cricket.com.au.
He added, “You’ve got Lance Morris who has worked hard on reverse swing for the last month and then a nice lead in here with a few sessions.”
The brief hole of three days between the primary two Tests may imply Hazlewood can be in a race in opposition to time to be match for the second match in Delhi.
Australia squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023
Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com