Australian bowler suffers Achilles setback ahead of Ashes
The fast bowler has been managing a hamstring injury, but has reported a fresh issue with his Achilles to Cricket Australia.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has suffered another injury setback, casting fresh doubt over his availability for the remainder of the Ashes series and prolonging what has become a deeply frustrating run.
This masthead revealed Hazlewood, who has been managing a hamstring injury he suffered during a Sheffield Shield match last month for NSW against Victoria, has picked up a fresh low-grade Achilles injury.
Cricket Australia confirmed the news on Friday afternoon during play on day two of the second Test at the Gabba.
A return-to-play timeline has not been set, but Hazlewood is expected to resume running and bowling next week if the Achilles complaint settles. Even so, the latest issue is an inconvenient delay for a bowler who has not featured in either of the opening two Tests and was already racing the clock to prove his fitness.
Hazlewood had been booked to travel to Brisbane this week to rejoin the Australian squad and continue his rehabilitation, but the trip was cancelled after he reported soreness. He will remain in Sydney for now, placing his involvement in the rest of series in some doubt.
The third Test against England begins on December 17 in Adelaide but there are concerns Hazlewood might not be available until the fourth Test at the MCG or beyond.
“Josh Hazlewood reported Achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury,” a CA spokesperson said in a statement. “It is a low-grade issue, and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”
Hazlewood had been back bowling in the nets in recent days but the latest injury has pushed back a potential return to play date.
Regular skipper Pat Cummins is poised to return for Australia in the third Test in Adelaide but the absence of Hazlewood is less than ideal for the home side, particularly given the 34-year-old’s injury history in recent years.
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If Hazlewood misses all five Tests this summer, it would be for the first time since he debuted in 2014 against India. Hazlewood has missed Tests in six of the past eight home summers.
“That looks Melbourne Test match [for a return] at best,” said former Australian pace bowler Damien Fleming on SEN. “It’s more likely [the fifth Test in] Sydney, and you’re coming off no cricket. I feel for him. It has been consistent with his last five summers. At his age, it’s hard to see him completing a whole summer [again].”
