Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is likely to miss the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar series after suffering a calf injury on Day 4 of the third Test in Brisbane.
Already having overcome a side strain in order to face India at the Gabba, Hazlewood felt soreness in his calf on Tuesday morning.
Team medical staff say Hazlewood first experienced “awareness” in the calf while warming up for day four, prompting him to stay off the field for the start of play.
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He remained absent for two overs, before coming on and bowling just before the first drinks break.
The seamer was notably down on pace in that over, with his first delivery an uncharacteristic long-hop that KL Rahul dispatched to the point boundary.
When drinks were taken, Hazlewood was in deep discussion with captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Australia’s team physio, before leaving the field to undergo scans.
Later in the day, Cricket reporter Peter Lalor revealed the results on Channel 7.
“Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right-sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in this Test match,” he said.
“He sustained the injury during the warm-up this morning.
“After bowling one over, was unable to continue.
“It gets worse. He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series. A squad replacement will be made in due course.
“Essentially, Josh Hazlewood is out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”
Scott Boland appears a certainty to replace Hazelwood for the Boxing Day Test, while Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett are the next two in the mix.
“It’s heartbreaking for Josh,” Lalor added.
“Terrible run. Played 17 of the past 35 tests. 2019/20 summer, he broke down in the series against New Zealand. Missed two of those tests.
“Played only one test of the following Ashes series. He missed three of the five the following summer.
He missed the World Test Championship final. He had a calf injury that kept him out of the T20 series against Scotland in August.
“He’s had a rotten run with injuries. That’s really got to start to get to you.”
Channel 7 commentator Damien Fleming said it was “sad” for Hazlewood.
“To do your calf in the warm-up where you normally are starting at 50 per cent and then progressing yourself through, normally those type of injuries are when you’ve been bowling a lot on a long day and the strain gets too much,” he said.
“Not surprised he is out for the summer, though. That’s going to have to be a three, four-week injury.”
– With AAP
