Australian captain Pat Cummins has provided an update on Josh Hazlewood's fitness ahead of the crucial third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane. Hazlewood, who missed the Adelaide Test due to a side strain, was a standout performer in the series opener, claiming four wickets in the first innings.
Pat Cummins gives Josh Hazlewood's fitness update for Brisbane Test
Scott Boland stepped in for Hazlewood in Adelaide and delivered a match-winning performance, taking five wickets, including those of key Indian batsmen like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill. As Hazlewood's recovery progresses, the Australian team management will make a final decision on his availability for the Brisbane Test, considering the crucial role he plays in their bowling attack.
After bulldozing India by 10 wickets in Adelaide Test on December 8, Australia captain Pat Cummins has provided a positive update on Josh Hazlewood's fitness. Hazlewood, who missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, is on track to return for the crucial Brisbane Test. Cummins revealed that Hazlewood is scheduled to bowl in the coming days, and a final decision on his availability will be made within the next two days.
Cummins also admitted the tough selection dilemma that the team faces, as the bowler who will make way for Hazlewood will likely be a player who has performed exceptionally well in the Adelaide Test.
"Josh (Hazlewood) will have a bowl tomorrow. So he is on track (to be fit for Brisbane Test). Yeah, it's all gone to plan so far. Fairly confident he'll be right for Brisbane, we'll know more in the next couple of days. And yeah, someone who'll make way, he'll be pretty unlucky," Cummins said in the post-match press conference.
"Fairly confident he'll be right for Brisbane, we'll know more in the next couple of days," he added.
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India might have won the first match against Australia, but it was Josh Hazlewood who stood out for Australia with a sizzling spell of 4/29 and decimated visitors for a paltry 150 in the first innings.
However, with Scott Boland shining with the ball in the second Test, it will be no less than a headache for Australian team management to accommodate both Boland and Hazlewood in their playing XI in the third Test which is slated to start from December 14.
Talking about the Adelaide match, Pat Cummins ran through the India's batting line-up with a perfect fifer and restricted them for just 175 runs in their second innings. With this Australia were handed a lowly target of 19 runs which they chased down without losing a single wicket which helped them level the series 1-1.
