WTC Final 2023: Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood had a successful comeback to cricketing action four months after tearing his Achilles tendon in the Sydney Test, assisting Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League to successfully defend a low score. Despite posting just 9-126, the fast bowler bowled three superb overs in RCB’s victory over the Lucknow Super Giants to help the visitors win by 18 runs. However, according to former Australian captain Michael Clarke, Hazlewood should be concentrating on getting ready for the World Test Championship Final against India, and the Ashes. Follow WTC Final 2023 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
“I don’t know why he’s over playing IPL. I don’t know why he’s not over here in Australia preparing to play Test match cricket. I know they’ll have people over there, in the nets he’ll be bowling more than what the IPL players are bowling, in preparation for Test match cricket,” Clarke said.
“But I just don’t know if him bowling three overs, four overs right now is his best preparation for an Ashes series, after the injuries he’s had and the amount of time he’s had out of Test cricket. It’s great to see him back playing, there’s no doubt about it … but for Australian Test cricket fans, you want to see him at his best for this Ashes series.”
Due to a run of ailments, Hazlewood, who took 20 wickets at 21.85 in four matches during the most recent Ashes tour in 2019, has only participated in 11 of Australia’s 28 Test matches since that series. To resume Australia’s frontline assault with skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, he was chosen for the 17-man Ashes team.
The 32-year-old is viewed as a crucial component of Australia’s assault for a critical six Test matches in England, starting with the WTC final against India and continuing with the eagerly awaited Ashes. Hazlewood, who has been preparing for the WTC final on June 7 through a rehabilitation program, said he was ‘more excited than nervous’ to be returning.
World Test Championship Final and Men’s Ashes squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
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