Will Hazlewood Play WTC Final? Hazlewood Optimistic about WTC Final: “My Fitness is Excellent”
In an exciting development, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has expressed his optimism about participating in the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final against India. Hazlewood, who recently returned from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to minor soreness in his side, believes that he has a good chance of playing in the final if he can successfully complete a series of rigorous training sessions over the next week.
Injury Woes of Hazlewood | WTC final 2023
Due to an Achilles issue, Hazlewood had a delayed arrival at the IPL, which resulted in him featuring in only three matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Consequently, he missed Australia’s entire four-match Test series against India and the subsequent three-match ODI series in February and March. However, the decision to withdraw Hazlewood early from the IPL was merely a precautionary measure, as scans revealed no significant damage to his side. It is worth noting that Hazlewood has experienced two side strains in the past two years, causing him to miss crucial matches.
Following his return to Australia, Hazlewood resumed bowling at his home in Sydney before joining the team in England last week. During the squad’s initial training session in Formby, West Lancashire, the talented paceman bowled at close to full intensity after having a gentle bowl on his own upon his arrival in England. The progress Hazlewood has made is encouraging, and he has stated that he is nearing full fitness. However, he acknowledges that he needs to successfully complete a week’s worth of bowling to be officially declared fit for the WTC final, scheduled to commence next Wednesday at the iconic Oval in London.
“My fitness is pretty good,” Hazlewood confidently stated. “It is just a matter of ticking off every session from here until that date, basically. In T20 cricket, you are required to bowl various different deliveries every over, ranging from wide yorkers to bouncers and slower balls. Unfortunately, my side got jammed up a little bit due to scar tissue from previous injuries. However, it calmed down quickly. I had a week off, and although I didn’t reach 100 percent during the IPL, my recent bowling sessions have been promising, and I have been gradually building up.”
Playing Chances during WTC Final 2023:
Hazlewood’s potential inclusion in the final lineup raises questions for the selectors, as they will have to decide whether to back him despite his interrupted preparation or opt for the durable Scott Boland, who has had a 10-week break since his last outing in the Sheffield Shield final in March. The final decision will depend on Hazlewood’s performance in two solid bowling sessions on Thursday and Saturday. The Australian team will train at the Oval on Monday and Tuesday, and traditionally, the fast bowlers have another substantial bowling session two days before a Test match, followed by a day of rest prior to the game.
Aside from the Hazlewood-Boland dilemma, the rest of Australia’s lineup for the WTC final is expected to be settled. Pat Cummins, who missed the last two Tests in India due to personal reasons, will return to captain the team. Mitchell Starc, who played as the lone quick in Australia’s final two Tests in India after recovering from a finger injury, is also fully fit and raring to go.
Despite Hazlewood’s recent injury concerns, he remains determined to contribute to the team’s success. However, he acknowledges the challenges posed by the demanding schedule, which includes six Tests in seven weeks. Hazlewood recognizes the importance of managing the workload of the fast bowlers effectively, considering the tightly packed fixtures.
Conclusion:
With the WTC final just around the corner, Hazlewood’s potential return to full fitness brings a sense of excitement and anticipation. Australian cricket fans eagerly await the selectors’ decision and hope to witness an enthralling clash against India at the Oval.
