Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series against India after suffering a calf strain during warm-ups on the fourth day in Brisbane. His injury opens the door for Scott Boland to return for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Hazlewood joined play late on Tuesday after talking to head coach Andrew McDonald and the physio. He struggled during his over, barely topping 131kph, and after a conversation with teammates and the physio, he walked off the field. Cricket Australia confirmed that Hazlewood had sustained a right-sided calf strain and would not be able to continue in the current Test. Scans confirmed the injury’s severity, and Hazlewood is likely to miss the rest of the series.
With Hazlewood unavailable, Australia will rely on Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon for the majority of the bowling workload. Support will come from Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne. The follow-on remains Australia’s best chance for victory, but this puts extra pressure on Cummins and Starc.
Hazlewood returned to the team after missing the Adelaide Test due to a side strain, but his calf injury marks another setback in a career plagued by injuries. This is the 18th Test he has missed since the 2021-22 Ashes. As a result, Australia is expected to call up Boland for the MCG, where he claimed a remarkable 6 for 7 on his debut Test. With Hazlewood’s absence, Boland’s role in the remainder of the series becomes crucial.
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