Josh Hazlewood's remarks on Australia batters led to rumors of rift in Australian team.
Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood stirred up the media with his comments on batters of his team during the first Test of BGT 2024 against India in Perth.
When he was asked whether Australia could chase the 534-run target set by India in Perth Test, he replied saying, “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question.” This opened speculations if there are fractions in the Australian team.
Days after the setback, Australian Cricket announced that Hazlewood had an injury and would miss the second Test in Adelaide, sparking fresh discussion.
“Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference,” former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar speculated in his column for Sportstar.
Now former Australia pacer Ryan Harris has given Gavaskar a reply and stated that, unlike India, there is no politics in Australian cricket and that there were no factions in the Kangaroos team.
“Look, there are no, factions. That’s just all garbage. I’ve even heard Mr. Gavaskar coming out and saying there’s some faction. It’s all rubbish. That doesn’t happen in Australia. I know it happens in India. I’ve lived there,” former Australian bowler Ryan Harris told The Indian Express.
“There’s no politics and no, you don’t miss a game (On Hazlewood) for saying what he said. I’ve spoken to a couple of the boys here at and everyone’s smart. They just know our media and how they work. The Australian media have jumped on it because we went so badly in Perth. But you’re allowed to be outplayed,” Harris added.
India did manage to win the last couple of tours in Australia and started this one well with an emphatic 295-run win.
“Actually, you know, what Australian media and people have got to realize is that India has won here the last couple of times and they’re a very good team. I mean, it’s only one test. I mean, I have all the respect for Gavaskar, he’s a legend of the game. He is just throwing a little grenade over here and the media have just got hold of him and are having a feast,” the ex-pacer added.
The second Test between India and Australia will be played in Adelaide from December 6 onwards with the pink ball.