Australia's star pacer Josh Hazlewood's comments after Day 3's play during Perth Test led to widespread speculations about rift in dressing room. Hazlewood said that he is already thinking about the next Test since Australia lost three wickets late into the third session chasing a massive target. It led to the media and former players suspecting cracks in the Australian dressing room as they were dominating in Perth. While the two teams are busy playing in the pink-ball Test, Hazlewood said that his comments were taken out of proportion.
“This is probably the tightest team I’ve been a part of in my whole career. We know each other inside out. I think (my quotes) were taken a little bit out of context. It’s probably like asking an opening batter about trying to take 10 wickets the next day,” Hazlewood said while speaking to the panel on 7Cricket.
Hazlewood said that he expressed his point of view when he was asked the question in the press conference.
“You’re not a big part of it. From a number 11’s point of view that was probably my thinking at the time. Could’ve worded it a little bit better I guess but definitely no qualms with the playing group,” the pacer added.
Hazlewood gives injury update
Hazlewood missed the second Test due to a side strain. Scott Boland replaced him in the side and Sean Abbott, Ben Doggett were called in as cover. The 33-year-old gave an update on his fitness as well.
"The body is feeling pretty good. I mean, it has been a long gap between tests. It has given me a few more days to try and recover," said the 33-year-old.
"We have ticked off a few boxes this week so far. I have probably got a big one to tick off on day four and bowl a few spells throughout the day and see how it pulls up. So fingers crossed for that day, I think. I had a little one on (a bowling session) one of the main training days out here in the middle just to get loose, just sort of, you know, 70 percent.
"But then sort of ticked some sort of above 80 percent, 90 percent yesterday in the nets. And then we will just sort of keep building from there. I hope so (Playing in Brisbane), the side has been a bit of a niggle for me for a few years of now, we are being cautious. But it is a minor strain. Ticked a few boxes already, few more to tick. Fingers crossed," he concluded.
The third Test will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane starting on December 14.
