'Hopefully, injury is a short one' - Pat Cummins optimistic on Josh Hazlewood’s return ahead of South Africa Test series

Australia skipper Pat Cummins believes pacer Josh Hazlewood will require one-two weeks to recover from his injury. The pacer has picked up a side strain which has put him on the sidelines and it puts him in risk of missing out on the first Test match against South Africa.

Australia are currently playing the second match of the two-match Test series against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval. Hazlewood, who was to play the red-ball contest in Adelaide, was eventually replaced by Michael Neser in the playing XI to face the Windies. However, Pat Cummins remains optimistic about the player’s return as he stated that Hazlewood's injury is not a ‘huge one’.

"It's not a huge one, it's in a weird spot. Hopefully it's not too long; hopefully, it's only one or two weeks. We all feel for Joshy (Josh Hazlewood). Cricket's a funny thing, we play five Tests within five or six weeks and that's the whole Test home summer. We'll see how it tracks but hopefully, it's a short one (injury),” told the skipper on SEN.

Pat Cummins to return for South Africa series

The Aussies skipper was himself ruled out of the second match against West Indies due to an injury. The 29-year-old suffered a quad strain during the opening Test in Perth with Scott Boland joining the line-up and Steve Smith captaining the side. Cummins handed an update on his return as he stated that he would train soon to get back for the South Africa Test series.

"I was really close to getting out there but it was a bit too high risk to take into a Test match. I'll probably start bowling in the next day or two to make sure I'm right for the Gabba (Test),” added Pat Cummins.

Following the conclusion of the two-match West Indies Test series, the Aussies will lock horns with South Africa in a three-match Test series scheduled to commence on December 17.