Border Gavaskar Trophy: Josh Hazlewood fit to return for the Brisbane Test?

For someone who solely looks at the game, Australia would have appeared short of nothing in Adelaide. The Kangaroos, with Mitchell Starc headlining the pace attack, once again reminded the touring India of their control over the pink ball. However, anyone in sync with all the updates from the Border Gavaskar Trophy knows that Australia was devoid of their primary pacer, Josh Hazlewood, in Adelaide. Though the Kangaroos lost the BGT opener in Perth, Hazlewood, with 6 wickets across two innings, emerged as their best performer. Now, with the hosts having leveled the series 1-1 with their 10-wicket victory at Adelaide, the team could welcome Hazlewood back, with the pacer likely recovered from his side strain.

Josh Hazlewood likely to recover ahead of the third Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy

A 295-run loss at Perth in the Border Gavaskar Trophy opener and a controversial statement later, Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test. The pacer, having dealt with multiple side issues, endured the resurgence of the familiar strain in his left side. Taking no risks, Australia was quick to rule him out of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. While Hazlewood’s unavailability made way for Sean Abbott and Brendan Hoggett in the squad, it was Scott Boland who filled in for the seasoned pacer in the Australian playing XI for the Adelaide Test.

Boland played the day-night fixture against India like he belonged in the team all along. Complementing Mitchell Starc seamlessly, who breathed fire under the lights, Boland picked 5 wickets, including dismissing KL Rahul on the opening ball of his spell in the second innings. Despite Boland’s yet another impressive display for the Kangaroos, the player’s inclusion in the team could be cut short. Josh Hazlewood is positive about his return to the squad ahead of the Brisbane Test.

Josh Hazlewood completed a detailed fitness check on Monday, December 9, at the Adelaide Oval. The seamer reportedy bowled lengthy spells at nearly his full pace potential. The seamer furthermore informed that his return to the Australian team could be decided within the next 24 hours. While Hazlewood awaits a positive confirmation, the pacer is keen to mark his way back into the team ahead of the Brisbane Test, the third match in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which is scheduled to start on December 14 at the iconic Gabba.

"I think it'll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really," Hazlewood said. "Obviously, two spells make a big difference. Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again in the same day, and the intensity has got to be right up there as well," he added. "So a few boxes to tick, but it's probably the 24 hours that follow and pulling up again the next day and then thinking, 'yeah, I'd be right to go again if I had to.'"

The issue with his side is nothing new for the ace Australian pacer. But having put his body to the test in the Sheffield Shield, Hazlewood had hoped to cruise unhindered through the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Frustrated by the incessant side strain, Hazlewood noted that if the Test in Gabba had been the last of the BGT series, he would have pushed through with the side strain.

"It's not necessarily your typical side strain, which I've had a couple of in my career," he said. "It's caused me a lot of trouble over the last few years, but perfect prep this year [coming into the Perth Test]. I played the Shield game and ticked all that off, and I was very happy with where I was, and it still happened, so I was pretty annoyed for a few days," he added.

"If this [Adelaide Test] had been the last Test of the summer, I could have potentially run the gauntlet and played. I think I would have been in a pretty bad state by the end of the game, even though it was only a short game, but it just wasn't quite right," the seamer expressed.

While Hazlewood’s return would be a positive for Australia, the availability of Scott Boland has provided an ideal cushion. After the three remaining matches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia next faces Sri Lanka in a two-match series before the WTC Final arrives. Australia’s qualification for the ICC event is on the line, as it is for India after the 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide. South Africa is currently leading the race with their victory against Sri Lanka at Gqeberha.