"Desperation to create controversy" - Josh Hazlewood's manager on Fox Cricket for taking seamer's comments out of context amid BGT 2024-25 1st Test
Josh Hazlewood's manager Neil Maxwell has slammed Fox Cricket for taking the Australian seamer's comments out of context during the first Test against Team India in Perth. Maxwell slammed the media outlet for their desperation to create controversy.
With Hazlewood attending the presser after Day 3 of the first Test in Perth, he said it's up to the batters to approach the chase of an improbable 534. However, Fox Cricket panelists, including Michael Vaughan, Adam Gilchrist, and Ravi Shastri interpreted it as a divide among players.
Maxwell, who manages Pat Cummins, told The Sydney Morning Herald that such acts make Fox Cricket lose their credibility and that the team is closer than ever.
"It’s taken so out of context and in a negative light. You’ve never seen a closer bunch of players than the players in the last two years of Australian cricket. To draw that assumption from a comment from a No.11 batter saying, ‘You better ask one of the batters’ is so ridiculous. They lose complete and utter credibility. There’s a desperation to create controversy when you’ve got 40. cricket media are all trying to get a daily story. I just think there’s no incentive for players to provide any color in response," he said.
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar had even speculated that Hazlewood would find himself out of the playing 11 due to his comments at the presser. Middle-order batter Travis Head had strongly denied reports of rift, claiming that the team spent time together by going out.
Josh Hazlewood to miss second Test against India
Nevertheless, the New South Wales seamer will miss the second Test at the Adelaide Oval due to a side strain sustained during the opening game in Perth.
Josh Hazlewood was the best Aussie bowler in the match, not only claiming five wickets but doing so at an economical rate.
The hosts also had injury scares in Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne but both have recovered and been declared fit to play. Australia are massively under pressure after losing by 295 runs in Perth.