"Could’ve worded it a little bit better I guess" - Josh Hazlewood clarifies press conference comments that led to rift rumors
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has clarified his comments made at a press conference during the Perth Test against India that led to rumors of rift in the Aussie camp. Dismissing all such claims, the fast bowler asserted that the current bunch of players constitute the 'tightest team' he has been a part of in his career.
During an interaction with the media after Day 3 of the Perth Test, Hazlewood was asked what Australia's plans were heading into Day 4, to which he replied:
"You probably have to ask one of the batters that question. I'm sort of relaxing and trying to get a bit of physio and a bit of treatment, and I'm probably looking mostly towards the next Test and what plans we can do against these batters."
Speaking to Channel Seven during the ongoing Test in Adelaide, Hazlewood admitted that his choice of words perhaps led people to believe that all was not well in the Australian camp. He clarified (as quoted by India Today):
“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.
“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 went on to add.
Hazlewood starred for Australia with figures of 4-29 in the first innings in Perth. Jasprit Bumrah, however, claimed eight wickets in the Test, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli hit second-innings hundreds as India won the match by 295 runs.
"The body is feeling pretty good" - Josh Hazlewood provides recovery update
The Australian pacer was ruled out of the ongoing pink-ball Test in Adelaide due to a side strain. Providing an update on his fitness, the 33-year-old said that he is feeling pretty good. Hazlewood commented that he has ticked off a few boxes and is looking forward to Monday, December 9, as he would be bowling a few spells to test his fitness.
“The body is feeling pretty good. I mean, it’s a long gap between the Tests, so it’s given me few more days to try and recover. I have ticked off a few boxes in this week so far, and looking to tick off a big one on day four – bowl a few spells throughout the day and see how it pulls up. So, fingers crossed for that day," Hazlewood explained.
The right-arm pacer has been one of Australia's key red-ball bowlers in the last few seasons. In 71 Test matches, he has picked up 278 wickets at an average of 24.58, with 12 five-fers.