AUS vs IND 2024-25: Josh Hazlewood Out of the Series with Calf Injury

The fact that veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is probably going to miss the rest of the Test series against India has dealt a serious blow to Australia's ambitions of keeping up their momentum in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On the fourth day of the third Test in Brisbane, Hazlewood strained his calf during warm-up, and scans have shown how serious the injury is.

At the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia took a severe beating at the beginning of Day 4 of the third Test match against India. Hazlewood's most recent injury setback occurred just after he returned to the starting lineup after missing the second Test match in Adelaide because of a side strain. Hazlewood was only able to bowl one over on Day 4 at the Gabba before hobbling off the field, suggesting that Australia's gamble to reinstate him in the starting lineup failed. Hazlewood appeared far from his best on the morning of Day 4, despite taking a vital wicket of Virat Kohli on Day 3.

Josh Hazlewood injury turns big setback for Australia:

In a statement, Cricket Australia revealed, “Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right-sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in Test match against India in Brisbane. He sustained the injury during the warm-up 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." 

According to a representative for the Australian team, he was experiencing "calf awareness" and will be sent for scans as quickly as possible to assess the severity of the injury. His right calf was strained, as per the scans. This raises significant questions about Hazlewood's involvement in the remaining episodes of this series.

Scott Boland will return to the side for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG as a result of Hazlewood's unavailability. Boland, who filled in for Hazlewood in the pink-ball Test, will be remembered for his valiant performance against England in 2021–22 at the same location, where he took an incredible 6 for 7. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, had already alluded to Boland's possible comeback.

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