A aspect pressure is threatening to stymie Josh Hazlewood’s second consecutive summer time, with the fast now racing the clock to show his health for the collection in opposition to South Africa.
Michael Neser changed Hazlewood within the XI to face West Indies within the remaining match of the two-Test collection, with the 31-year-old stated to be experiencing “general soreness” after the opener.
But scans have since confirmed Hazlewood has come down with a light pressure in his left aspect.
“Hazlewood will return home tomorrow to continue his rehabilitation,” a press release from Cricket Australia stated.
“He will be reviewed again at the completion of the match to determine his availability moving forward.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins, himself dominated out of the Adelaide Test with a quad pressure, stated he felt for Hazlewood.
“He’s pretty understandably flat,” Cummins informed Channel 7 on Thursday.
“He was a little bit sore after the last Test match, had a bowl in the nets yesterday to prove his fitness and was a bit sorer than we’d all hoped.”
Then-coach Justin Langer took a conservative method to Hazlewood’s health when he suffered a aspect pressure final summer time, enjoying him in solely considered one of 5 Ashes Tests.
The damage, coupled with Andrew McDonald’s choice to favour spin on the autumn tour of Pakistan, meant Hazlewood had performed just one Test in 12 months earlier than the collection in opposition to West Indies started.
At the toss on Thursday, substitute captain Steve Smith hoped Hazlewood could be obtainable for the primary of three Tests in opposition to South Africa, which begins in Brisbane subsequent Saturday.
“I’m not entirely sure (whether he will play),” Smith informed Channel 7.
“I guess the medical staff will monitor him closely this week. Fingers crossed.”
Whether or not he performs in Brisbane, Hazlewood’s damage raises issues over the administration of Australia’s quick bowlers originally of a congested six months on the cricket calendar.
After the collection in opposition to South Africa finishes on January 8, Australia will flip their consideration to the tour of India in February and March earlier than the Ashes start in England in June.
Australia’s dates for that tour of the subcontinent had been lastly set in stone on Thursday, with the primary Test to be performed in Nagpur from February 9.
Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad will then host the opposite matches – from February 17, March 1 and March 9 respectively – with Australia attempting to win their first collection in India since 2004.
