Josh Hazlewood Injury: Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s struggles continue as they may be without their Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood for another week. Hazlewood is preparing for the World Test Championship final 2023 after recovering from an Achilles tendonitis injury. He has been named in the 17-member squad for the WTC final and the Ashes series. However, Hazlewood is still building his fitness levels in the IPL, and it may take some more time before he features in RCB’s starting XI. Meanwhile, RCB will play their next match against Punjab Kings on April 20. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Josh Hazlewood Injury: Hazlewood Preparing for WTC and Ashes
Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, is optimistic that fast bowler Josh Hazlewood can regain his fitness levels in time for the upcoming Test tour in England. He has been named in a 17-member squad for the World Test Championship final against India, as well as the five-Test Ashes series that starts immediately after.
Josh Hazlewood suffered an Achilles tendonitis injury during the home summer. Due to this injury he missed the Border-Gavaskar Test series in India. Now, Cricket Australia is relying on Hazlewood to build up his bowling loads through the T20 league.
“Josh Hazlewood is still building back to his full capacity through the IPL, so hopefully he gets a few games over there in the back half of that tournament and starts to ramp up his return,” said Bailey.
Bailey also praised Hazlewood’s professionalism and experience, stating that he knows exactly what he needs to do to be at his best for the Ashes. He believes that Hazlewood’s smaller workload through four-over bursts in the IPL might be a nice build-up for him.
David Warner to Participate in WTC Finals
George Bailey also offered some clarity on opener David Warner’s selection. He said that Warner is expected to start the Test Championship final against India as a mark of continuity. However, Bailey did not confirm that the 36-year-old is a definite starter for the Ashes.
[Warner is] invested and wants to make sure he helps us finish off a couple of consistent years on the Test front by trying to win the World Test Championship final. Not specifically to Dave, but I think we’ll just get through that Test championship. We’ll obviously be planning behind the scenes but we’ll have a look at what that looks like as we get there,” said Bailey.
The Australian selectors are closely monitoring the fitness levels of their players ahead of the crucial UK tour. They are hopeful that Josh Hazlewood can regain his full fitness through the IPL. Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore will hope for Hazlewood’s full recovery before their crucial clash against Punjab Kings on April 20.
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