Josh Hazlewood has declared himself ready to come to the rescue for Australia’s depleted bowling attack in the Sydney Test next week.
The veteran seamer, who has sat out the past two matches after suffering a side strain four weeks ago against the West Indies, was close to a comeback in the second Test against South Africa at the MCG but pulled out late.
With Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green ruled out of the third clash with the Proteas at the SCG due to finger injuries, Hazlewood’s return is a timely boost.
Young West Australian speedster Lance Morris is also in contention with coach Andrew McDonald indicating they were keen to let “The Wild Thing” loose for what would be his Test debut in Sydney.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch cricket on KAYO
Hazlewood told SEN Radio on Thursday morning that he was confident he would be able to get through a Test at his home ground.
(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
“Yeah, at this stage I am [fit for Sydney]. A few more overs to bowl during this game out in the nets but I had a good hit-out two days ago,” he said.
“All the signs are good so I feel ready and fit. It was a very minor strain so a lot different to last year. Obviously got it right at the back end of the first Test so I didn’t have to push it too much.
“It recovered really quickly. Had a week off bowling, came back and didn’t feel it at all. It was just about the workloads and getting that confidence for this game. If I could bank on less than 30 overs I would have been sweet [at the MCG], but if it goes deep today and especially with Greeny going down, 40 overs might have been a stretch so I made the call before the game.”
Despite scoring an unbeaten 51 on Wednesday, Green has already been ruled out of next week’s Test and will not bowl for the rest of the match at the MCG.
Starc has continued to bat and bowl but is understood to be a major doubt to back-up in Sydney.
Australia will almost certainly seal a series win as they continue to dominate in Melbourne and will be cautious not to overwork their key players ahead of February’s blockbuster tour of India.
They will also look at playing an extra spinner at the SCG, while former captain Ricky Ponting touted WA all-rounder Aaron Hardie as a potential selection bolter.
Morris was brought into the squad for the Adelaide Test against West Indies as injury cover and could make his debut in Sydney.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nah...it's just how it is in different countries. Our boys will adapt. Agar will take 15 plus wickets and score a couple of hundred runs. The GOAT will keep doing goaty things and the quicks will keep the screws on. No Indian bowling will threaten our bats. No wins to India; just a matter of wins to Oz or a draw.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
then advantage India poor planning from australia
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Won't get that opportunity until they play on one...probably in India.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
no test cricket for spinners on a ripping pitch
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Oh, people are still playing cricket in Australia.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It's actually an unbelievable position for Aussie pace bowling . throw jhye Richardson in who is arguably as good as any of them after a terribly unlucky injury run and it's quite lethal .
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Fair enough & agree it would be interesting to see Morris tear them apart :thumbup:
Pierro
Roar Rookie
chanon bare in mind his uk form sensational in 19 … Adelaide pink ball test against India ripped them apart . Injuries the issue . rotate with Boland in india and uk. simple. we need to give Morris and neser runs in Sydney too
Pierro
Roar Rookie
better than no tests don. going to iñdia with no spin warm up
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He’s not a automatic selection anymore he’s a outstanding white ball specialist but his red ball form has dipped dramatically.
JGK
Roar Guru
Not sure you're going to get a good indication against this batting side.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Maybe best to give South Africa a chance and rest all the quicks and bowl all part timers. The bowling attack could look like Labuschagne Head Smith Maddinson Warner
JGK
Roar Guru
Two summers ago he averaged 19 in the series against India. His one Test against England last season was fine. He barely bowled on the flat Rawalpindi pitch and he's had one Test this summer. So yes, he's an automatic selection.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Hazlewood last 3 test matches since 21’ have yielded 5 wickets at av 45. Does this mean he’s a automatic selection based on 3 years ago?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You'd need more than one test to establish that.
AndyS
Guest
Have to wonder whether Australia's best move might not be to prepare a sub-continent track for the last match, then use it as a selection trial for a couple of the spinning options and to see who of the quicks have the necessary line and length control...