In a devastating blow to Australia’s cricket team, pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against India after straining his right calf muscle during the third match at the Gabba in Brisbane. The 33-year-old managed to deliver just a solitary over on Tuesday before leaving the field in visible discomfort.
Scans later confirmed Hazlewood had suffered a calf strain, sidelining him for the rest of the pivotal series. It marks yet another frustrating setback for the experienced quick, who has battled numerous injuries over the past 18 months and only recently returned to full fitness.
Hazlewood’s Luckless Run Continues
The towering right-armer has arguably been Australia’s most consistent bowler in recent times when fully fit. However, his body has repeatedly let him down, restricting Hazlewood to just three Test appearances between January 2021 and June 2023.
He fought his way back into the starting eleven for the opening Test of the India series in Adelaide after overcoming a side strain. But now, cruelly, his summer appears over almost as soon as it began.
According to a team spokesperson, Hazlewood complained of “calf awareness” on Tuesday morning and was sent for precautionary scans. The results confirmed Australia’s worst fears – their premier paceman is headed back to the treatment table.
Implications for Remainder of Series
With Hazlewood all but certain to miss the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year’s clash in Sydney, Australia finds itself in the tricky position of needing to reshuffle its pace stocks midway through a hard-fought series.
Scott Boland looms as the frontrunner to replace Hazlewood, having already deputized impressively in Adelaide. The Victorian claimed match figures of 4/36 on his home deck and would relish the opportunity to spearhead the attack in front of an adoring MCG crowd.
However, the injury to Hazlewood places an immense strain on Australia’s remaining quicks for the duration of the Gabba Test. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Cameron Green must now shoulder an increased workload in stifling heat, which could have ramifications for their freshness come Melbourne and Sydney.
Upcoming Subcontinent Tours Add to Hazlewood’s Woes
Looking further ahead, Hazlewood now faces an uphill battle to prove his fitness and form ahead of Australia’s upcoming Test tours. They are scheduled to play two matches in Sri Lanka in late January before a three-Test series in India during February and March.
Hazlewood was overlooked for the Sri Lanka tour in 2022 as selectors opted for Cummins and Starc. With the subcontinental pitches likely to favor spin, Hazlewood may again find himself on the outer, especially given his interrupted preparations.
At age 33 and with an increasingly unreliable body, it remains to be seen how much more Test cricket the once-durable Hazlewood has left in him. What is certain is the current series against India just became a far greater challenge for an Australian side chasing its first victory over the cricketing giants on home soil since 2014-15.
Key Takeaways
- Josh Hazlewood suffered a right calf strain during day four of the Gabba Test
- The 33-year-old quick is expected to miss the rest of the Test summer
- Scott Boland is the likely replacement for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests
- Hazlewood’s latest injury continues his luckless run and clouds his Test future
- His absence is a major blow to Australia’s hopes of defeating India this series
As Australia’s cricket fans collectively hold their breath, they will be desperately hoping someone can step up and fill the rather large shoes of the luckless Josh Hazlewood. For a bowler of his immense talent, it’s a cruel twist of fate to be struck down yet again at such a critical juncture. Only time will tell how much of a toll this latest setback will take on the remainder of his Test career.
