Right-arm seamer Josh Hazlewood will not be bowling any further in Australia’s day-night Test against New Zealand at Perth, after having strained his hamstring on day two of the game.
Hazlewood, 28, pulled up after bowling just 1.2 overs on the second day, after feeling a strain in his hamstring. He walked off the pitch halfway through the over, and did not return for the rest of the day. He will be available to bat, if needed.
The injury has also put in doubt his participation in the Boxing Day Test.
Hazlewood is another addition in the list of injuries from either side, including New Zealand pacers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. While Boult’s omission was confirmed before the beginning of the Test, debutant Ferguson pulled out after the first day, due to a right calf muscle-tendon strain. Both teams are now reduced to ten men each.
JUST IN: Australia have confirmed Josh Hazlewood has suffered a hamstring strain and will not bowl for the remainder of the first Domain Test against New Zealand #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/iSPBNWHliP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2019
“It’s a bit sore this morning. I knew as soon as I did it that there was a tear there. It’s not too bad so we’ll play it by ear the next couple of weeks,” Hazlewood told Fox Cricket. “Bowlers know their bodies pretty well these days, we know when something ‘s not quite right.
“I’ll take the next couple of weeks as they come. It’s a tight series so it will be tough work to get up for the last test. We’ll see how we go.”
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Australia will now have to bowl with just two specialist quicks for the rest of the game, and three specialist bowlers overall. Part-timers Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne could also be called upon by Tim Paine to roll their arm over.
