Josh Hazlewood hopes to play WTC final

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Formby (England) | Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who left the IPL midway, is hopeful that he will play the final of the World Test Championship against India to be held at The Oval from June 7.

Due to injury, Hazlewood was able to play only three matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL. He could not even play in the Test and ODI series against India in the month of February-March.

Hazlewood has suffered two side strain injuries in the last two years. Due to which he had to miss four Ashes Tests on home soil in 2021-22 and three more Tests against the West Indies and South Africa last summer.

However, he was able to bowl in Sydney before leaving for England with the team. The Australian team’s first formal training session was held in England on Tuesday. Hazlewood has told the ICC that he is very close to full fitness but still needs a week’s training to be fit for the World Test Championship final.

Hazlewood said, “My fitness is very good. Just focusing on working hard in every session and preparing myself according to the match before the final. There has been a lot of improvement in the last few days.”

If Hazlewood is to make it to the final, he will have to bowl a lot in the training sessions on Thursday and Saturday. All eyes will be on the training sessions to be held at The Oval on Monday and Tuesday.

Australia also have the option of choosing between Hazlewood and Scott Boland. At the same time, Pat Cummins is also making a comeback after missing two Test matches against India due to family reasons. Hazlewood has played only four of Australia’s last 19 Test matches. He admitted that playing six Tests in seven weeks is a challenge for the fast bowlers.

Hazlewood said, “If you had asked me this question three years ago, I would have definitely said that I want to play all six Test matches. But now the situation is different.”

David Warner, who was out for the last two Tests against India, will also return to the top order. In Warner’s absence, Travis Head, who opened in the last two Tests, will go back to bat at number five. While Australian all-rounder Cameron Green will directly join the Australian team in London. He was the only player in the Australian team who had not been at home since January.

–IANS

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