Josh Hazlewood sent for medical scans after fresh injury scare on Day 4 of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Australia have suffered a fresh injury scare as new-ball bowler Josh Hazlewood was taken for scans on his calf on Day 4 (Tuesday, December 17) of the third Border-Gavaskar series Test against India at The Gabba in Brisbane. The New South Welshman was able to send only one over on Day 4 before going off the field.
Hazlewood entered the field late on Day 4 and didn't look on song as he often does, as he sent down a freebie to KL Rahul. Before walking off the field with the Australian team's physio Nick Jones, the veteran seamer had a lengthy conversation with captain Pat Cummins and Steve Smith during the drinks break.
A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson has issued a statement about the injury, saying (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):
"Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning's warm-up. He will be taken for scans to assess the injury."
The spokesperson added that they wanted to prepare the right-arm seamer for the fourth Test in Melbourne, elaborating:
"[We told him] it's about preparing for the MCG because there's a good chance we might need you. History suggests there's always some form of natural attrition throughout a Test series. A good thing [is], he's probably played a Test earlier in the series than he maybe thought. Showed that his standard's still super high. [It's] about trying to set him up for the last two Test matches."
The 33-year-old's absence leaves Australia a bowler short, as they would have hoped to force a win in the next two days.
Josh Hazlewood replaced Scott Boland for the third BGT 2024-25 Test at The Gabba
Hazlewood replaced Scott Boland for the third Test of the series in Brisbane. Boland played in the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval, as the 33-year-old had suffered a side strain, but could not retain his place despite a promising performance.
Nevertheless, the New South Welshman made an immediate impact on Day 3 of the ongoing match, getting the better of Virat Kohli (3) cheaply. It remains to be seen if the management will risk him for the remaining Tests of the series.
The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) begins on December 26.