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Published 13:54 IST, December 9th 2024

Australia Likely To Receive Major Setback Ahead Of Brisbane Test, Star Pacer's Availability In Doubt

Australia are likely to receive a massive setback ahead of the third test as their star pacer's availability is a big doubt as of now.

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Australian pace icon Josh Hazlewood missed the second test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy that is currently ongoing between India and Australia due to a side strain. He was a key part of the Australian attack in the first test and took the key wicket of Virat Kohli in the first innings. He was replaced by Scott Boland in the second test as he sat out but is hopeful of making a return in the third test that will take place at The Gabba stadium.  

Josh Hazlewood Provides Key Insight Into Availability For Third Test 

Adelaide, Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a side strain, bowled two full spells at Adelaide Oval on Monday and said how he "pulls up" in next 24 hours will determine his availability for the upcoming third Test against India.

On what would have been the fourth day of the pink-ball Test, which Australia won by 10 wickets, the 33-year-old Hazlewood bowled through two sessions to simulate match conditions and assess his readiness for the third Test, set to begin in Brisbane on Saturday.

"I think it'll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really," Hazlewood, who missed the second Test, told reporters.

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"It's just that repetitive and obviously two spells makes a big difference. Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again in the same day, and the intensity has got to be right up there as well.

"So a few boxes to tick, but it's probably the 24 hours that follow and pulling up again the next day and then thinking 'yeah, I'd be right to go again if I had to'," he added.

Hazlewood Reveals Strain Not As Major As The Ones He Had Before 

The veteran pacer who has a history of side issues, however, said the recent one was a minor injury, adding that had the Adelaide Test been the last of the summer, he could have pushed himself to play.

"It's not necessarily your typical side strain, which I've had a couple in my career. I've ticked every box so far this week. The side's obviously been a troublesome area for me, in the past, so if I can lean on the side of caution, I guess a little bit, ," Hazlewood said. 

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"But it's very minor compared to the last few I've had. I played the Shield game and ticked all that off and I was very happy where I was and it still happened, so I was pretty annoyed for a few days.

"If this was the last Test of the summer, I could have potentially run the gauntlet and played.

"Obviously got Scotty there, who does a fantastic job every time he plays. So I guess that sort of makes the decision a little easier. Sometimes you've sort of got to be pretty much 100 percent to play. And if not, Scott is there to go," he said.

If Hazlewood is declared fit, Scott Boland will make way for him in the playing XI. 

(With PTI Inputs)
 

Updated 15:21 IST, December 9th 2024