Australia vs New Zealand: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of Perth Test due to hamstring injury

The sweltry conditions in ongoing day-night Pink ball Test match at the Optus Stadium in Perth continued to take its toll on the fast bowlers. After Lockie Ferguson hobbled of the crease during the first day, leaving New Zealand with just two frontline seamers, it was the turn for Australia to experience the same.

After having knocked over Jeet Raval with a corker of a delivery in his opening over, Josh Hazlewood pulled out of his run-up after suffering a hamstring pull. And now it has been confirmed that the premier fast bowler will not take any further part in the game and will now face a run against time to get fit for any further Test matches this summer.

“Overnight MRI [scans] confirmed a left hamstring strain. He will not bowl for the remainder of this test, may bat if required. Recovery to be monitored in the coming weeks,” Cricket Australia spokesperson said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Josh Hazlewood looked look in a lot of pain as soon as he pulled up and Tim Paine had to employ the services of part-timer Matthew Wade from one end. Hazlewood said he knew as soon as he pulled up that there was a tear there, but the fast bowler thinks that the injury is not that bad and hopefully, will return to the park as quickly as possible.

“It’s a little bit sore this morning. I obviously knew as soon as I did it there was a tear there. It’s not too bad so we’ll play it by ear over the next couple of weeks. Bowlers know their bodies pretty well these days so we know when something is not quite right. The best thing to do was to come off and get it checked out. The ball was coming out really nicely and I had a couple of hours under lights up my sleeve but yeah, unlucky.

“It’s a tight series. It will be tough to get up for the last Test but we’ll see how we go. I haven’t [done a hamstring], no. I must be getting older. It’s something new as a quick so I’ll do a bit of rehab and get back on the park as quick as I can.” Josh Hazlewood said.

Starc wrecks through New Zealand’s batting in the absence of Josh Hazlewood

Australia did not feel the absence of Josh Hazlewood on the second day though. His partner-in-crime-Mitchell Starc ran through New Zealand’s top and middle-order to reduce them to 5-102 at stumps. Speaking on Hazlewood’s injury, Starc said, “It’s never nice seeing anyone go down, especially one of your best mates. Not sure how the scans have come back, hopefully, there’s some positivity out of that.

“It makes it tough, a bowler down, it certainly was for the Kiwis with Ferguson. The plus side is we have them five-for tonight and hope for, Josh it’,s not too bad. If it is going to keep him out then hopefully it’s not too big a break to get the hammy right.” If Josh Hazlewood does get ruled out for the Boxing Day Test, the likes of James Pattinson and Michael Neser could be in contention to play at the MCG.

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