- Aussies have a bowler behind them
- Trying to claim wickets between rain delays
- Could open the door for Scott Boland again
Josh Hazlewood is set to undergo scans on a sore calf after having just one before leaving the field on the fourth morning of the third Test in Brisbane.
Having already overcome a side strain to face India at the Gabba, Hazlewood felt pain in his calf on Tuesday morning.
The team’s medical staff says Hazlewood first experienced “consciousness” in the calf during warm-ups for day four, prompting him to stay off the field for the start of the game.
He remained absent for two overs before coming into bat and bowling just before the first drinks break.
The seamer was remarkably on pace at the time, with his first delivery an uncharacteristic long hop that sent KL Rahul towards the point boundary.
As drinks were consumed, Hazlewood was in deep discussion with captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and the Australian team physio before leaving the field.
The Aussies have lost Josh Hazlewood to injury during their attack in the Brisbane Test
Scott Boland is in danger as Hazlewood’s replacement for the Boxing Day Test if the seamer cannot recover in time
Cricket Australia has since confirmed he will be taken for scans to assess the problem.
Any injury to Hazlewood could have serious consequences for the rest of the series.
Australia seized the opportunity to force the sequel against India in Brisbane, with rain taking a significant part out of the match.
That will likely see Mitch Marsh bowl more overs than expected after battling his own injury problems this summer.
Scott Boland could emerge as Hazlewood’s replacement if he misses any more tests, having already filled in for him in Adelaide.
But any pressure on the workload of Cummins, Starc or Marsh could see Australia needing to bleed a debutant, with Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett and Beau Webster all part of extended squads this summer.
A week’s gap is planned between the Brisbane and Melbourne tests, with just three days between the end at the MCG and the start in Sydney.
Hazlewood has suffered from side strain problems in the past, with similar injuries largely preventing him from playing just three Tests between late January 2021 and early June 2023.
The Quick had bowled five overs for Australia without any problems on Monday, before Tuesday’s concerns.