Shocking new rumour about one of Australia’s biggest stars could take the gloss off stunning win in the first Ashes Test
Fears are mounting that Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring injury could be worse than first feared, with rumours mounting that the Aussie fast bowler could be set to miss the entire Ashes series.
According to Cricket Et Al, Hazlewood’s hamstring issue could actually be a tendon problem.
It is a much worse prognosis for the Aussie pace bowler, with tendon injuries typically taking longer to recover from.
Cricket journalist Peter Lalor, who writes for Cricket Et Al along with Gideon Haigh, echoed the news on Channel 7’s post-match analysis in Perth.
‘If these whispers I’m hearing about Hazlewood are right, you’re not going to see him again,’ Lalor said.
‘If the worst comes to fruition, we might not see him again in this series.’
Rumours are swirling that Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood (pictured) could be set to miss the entire Ashes series
Cricket Et Al is reporting that Hazlewood has sustained a tendon injury that would be much more severe than a hamstring issue
The loss of Hazlewood would be a huge hammer blow for the Aussie selectors, considering his stature within the side
Hazlewood missed Australia’s epic eight-wicket victory against England in Perth and was expected to miss the upcoming match at the Gabba which is due to commence on December 4.
It also comes as injured captain Pat Cummins, who had been expected to return for the Brisbane Test, told Kayo Sports that he was only ‘half a chance’ to return for the match, as he fights to be fit after also missing the Perth Test with a back injury.
Cummins and Hazlewood were both replaced by Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett for the first Test, with Mitchell Starc remaining as Australia’s usual three-pronged pace attack. Boland would take four wickets during the match, while Doggett took five.
The loss of Hazlewood would be a huge hammer blow for the Aussie selectors, considering his stature within this side.
During his Test career, the 34-year-old has taken a whopping 295 wickets across 143 innings.
Against England, his stats are even more menacing, with the New South Wales quick taking 76 wickets from 33 innings.
Pat Cummins (pictured), meanwhile, was seen bowling at full tilt in the nets before the Perth Test but he hinted that he was no certainty to return for the Brisbane Test
Hazlewood sent scares through the Australia camp a week ago after he pulled up sore following a Sheffield Shield match.
He had reported tightness in his hamstring, with scans initially clearing him of a strain, before a follow-up scan showed the injury was more serious than initially feared.
Cummins, meanwhile, was seen bowling at full tilt in the nets before the Perth Test.
However, the Aussie skipper says he won’t rush back to feature in Brisbane if he is not ready.
‘It’s feeling good,’ Cummins said during an interview on Kayo Sports.
‘I had a couple of good sessions in Perth this week, so having a big day where I’d bowl around 10 overs then a couple of quieter days and then going again.
‘It’s on track and pulling up pretty well.
‘(I’m) half a chance for the next game.
‘I’ll have a couple more bowls and then there could be about two weeks before the next one the way this one is going.
Cummins (right) said he was ‘pretty hopeful’ but stated that ‘(I’m) half a chance for the next game’
‘I’m pretty hopeful and it’s probably better than it was a few weeks ago.
‘It’ll be a collaboration between myself and the physios, the selectors and the doctors.
‘There’s a few things at play, and obviously I’m not coming off a lot of cricket, so you want to get a bit of a feel, have a look at the wicket and work out how you think the game may pan out and make a decision.
‘If I don’t want to play, no one is going to put me in that position.’
