IND vs AUS: More Trouble For India In BGT As Star Australia Bowler Eyes Comeback At Gabba

Last Updated:December 09, 2024, 11:34 IST

On Monday, Hazlewood bowled a couple of long spells, mimicking the conditions and workload of a Test match

Australia celebrating an Indian wicket in Perth Test [AFP Image]

Josh Hazlewood seems to have taken another step towards getting fitter and making a return in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The right-arm quick was ruled out of the day-night Test in Adelaide, which Australia won by eight wickets, due to a side strain. However, on Monday, he was the only bowler training at the centre wicket at the Adelaide Oval.

According to cricket.com.au, Hazlewood bowled a couple of long spells, mimicking the conditions and workload of a Test match. He focused on cooling down and bowling again to show he could handle multiple stints during a match.

If cleared to play in the third Test at the Gabba, starting Saturday, selectors will face a tough decision. They will have to choose between Hazlewood, a key member of Australia’s bowling attack, and Scott Boland, his replacement in Adelaide, who impressed with match figures of 5-105.

“I think it’ll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by the website.

“It’s just that repetitive (action) and obviously two spells make a big difference. Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again on 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 acknowledged that his history of side injuries over the years has been a mixed experience. While the repeated setbacks have been frustrating, keeping him off the field at times, they have also been beneficial in one way – he has become adept at identifying the early signs of trouble.

“It’s not necessarily your typical side strain, which I’ve had a couple in my career,” he said of his most recent setback.

“It’s caused me a lot of trouble over the last few years, but perfect prep this year (heading into the first Test). I played the (Sheffield) 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 (Adelaide) was the last Test of the summer, I could have potentially run the gauntlet and played. I’m very well aware of the area, and how the feelings are and what sort of pain it is, and how I can get through sessions, and what that means,” he added.

Location :

Adelaide, Australia