Josh Hazlewood: Pace star’s series against India likely over after suffering calf strain

Australia’s bowling attack has suffered a major blow, with Cricket Australia confirming a calf strain for Josh Hazlewood that is likely to keep him out of the rest of the Test series.

The workhorse fast bowler was injured in the warm-up on day four at the Gabba and bowled just one over before leaving the field and being whisked away for scans.

Hazlewood, who was Australia’s best bowler in the first Test in Perth but missed the second match in Adelaide with a side strain, is now almost certain to miss the Boxing Day Test and next month’s series-ender in Sydney.

It is likely Scott Boland, who burst onto the scene with a stunning six-wicket rampage on his home deck three summers ago, will play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in the NRMA Insurance Test match against India in Brisbane,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.

“He sustained the injury during the warmup this morning and after bowling one over was unable to continue.

“He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series. A squad replacement will be made in due course.”

Cricket Australia first described Hazlewood’s issue as “calf awareness” from their morning warm-up.

He failed to start the day’s play, before rejoining his teammates on the field midway through the first session and bowling one over before the drinks break.

But he exited the arena at the intermission, with the 32-year-old then heading for scans to get the injury assessed.

Hazlewood’s absence across the final two days of the Gabba Test is also a significant blow for Australia’s hopes of victory, with the Aussies less likely to enforce the follow-on if down one of their bowlers in the rain-affected clash.

Both sides will have a week’s break between the end of the Third Test and the start of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, with Hazlewood now under a significant cloud to feature in the traditional showpiece clash.

Hazlewood suffered a minor calf strain earlier this year, keeping him on the sidelines for T20 internationals against Scotland and England. It was the latest in a series of injury concerns in recent years for the veteran quick.

He featured in just three Tests between the end of January 2021 and the start of June 2023.

Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett were added to the squad as cover for Adelaide as Boland was elevated into the side.

They will be the front-runners again to bolster the squad for Boxing Day.