Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has taken a big step to prove his fitness for the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India in Brisbane. Note that Josh is currently recovering from a side strain.
Hazlewood batted at full speed during the extended session at Adelaide Oval on Monday (December 9). The fast bowler also went through a few spells to test his fitness for the Test match.
Josh Hazlewood’s recovery progress leads to a selection dilemma for the Gabba Test
However, after his lengthy spell in Adelaide on Monday, Hazlewood revealed he would take another 24 hours to fully assess his recovery and confirm his availability for the third Test against India at the Gabba on December 14.
If he is cleared to play, the Australian selectors will face a tough decision between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, who impressed with figures of 5/105 in the Adelaide Test during the team’s massive 10-wicket win to level the ongoing five-match Test series. 1-1 against India.
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Speaking to the media in Adelaide on Monday, Josh Hazlewood revealed that his fitness for the upcoming third Test depends on how his body reacts over the next 24 hours following an intensive fitness assessment. The Australian pacer also stressed the importance of testing his ability to bowl a few spells at high intensity in a day to prove his fitness.
Josh Hazlewood faces 24-hour test to prove fitness for Gabba Test
According to Cricket.com.au, Josh Hazlewood told the media after his training session in Adelaide: “I’m thinking about how I’m going to get up in the next 24 hours. “Just the repetitive (movement) and obviously two spells make a big difference.”
Furthermore, Hazlewood revealed that their main focus was how much he improved after cooling off and whether his body was ready to handle the demands of another spell the next day. He added that this recovery period will determine his readiness to return to action at The Gabba.
The Australian pacer then explained: “We’ve completely cooled down and gone again on the same day and the intensity has to be there. So there’s a few boxes to tick, but it probably lasts for 24 hours and goes up again the next day and then I think, ‘Yeah, I’d be right to go again if I had to.'”
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood’s recurring side injuries, while frustrating, have helped him recognize the first signs of trouble. His injury is both structural and muscular, with a small gap between his rib cage and femur increasing the risk, so he decided to sit out the Adelaide Test to avoid further damage.
Hazlewood talks about his latest injury
The Australian pacer later said: “It’s not your typical side strain which I’ve had a few times in my career. This has caused me a lot of trouble over the past few years. If Adelaide was the last Test of the summer, I could potentially run out of armholes and play. I think I would have been in pretty bad shape by the end of the game, even though it was a short game, but it wasn’t quite right.
Hazlewood also insisted that he is very familiar with his injury and knows the symptoms and feelings it brings. The Australian pacer also noted that the experience helps him assess his condition during sessions, making it easier to decide what he can handle and when he is ready to play. He signed off saying that the settlement is a positive aspect of his recovery process.
