Josh Hazlewood, RCB’s Australian fast bowler, has been ruled out of the first seven matches of his franchise in the upcoming IPL 2023, as he recovers from his Achilles tendon injury which he suffered during the South Africa Test series at home.
Hazlewood is expected to link up with the RCB on April 14 but will take one more week to get match fit. On the other hand, his RCB and Australia teammate Glenn Maxwell is doubtful for the franchise's tournament opener against Mumbai Indians on April 2, as he is yet to fully regain strength post leg fracture.
Hazlewood had also traveled to India for the four-Test and three-ODI series but was sent back after he failed to recover from his Achilles tendonitis that had plagued him for two months. He last played for Australia in the third Test against South Africa in January.
“Everything is ticking along according to plan, so I’ll be heading over on the 14th (of April) depending on how the next two weeks go. I probably won’t be quite ready to go right then, but (after) another week in India to touch things up skills wise I should be ready to go hopefully,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by The Age.
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“You don’t need a lot of workload for T20. It’s more just ticking off those boxes of getting up to speed and pushing back in the run-up. I’m probably only going to need to do one or two sessions at full pace and then I’m probably good to play. T20 is a lot different from Test and even one-day cricket. You only need 20 balls at full pace and that’s pretty close to a game, which is a good thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, cricket.com.au reported that Hazlewood will remain in Sydney and will consult with Cricket Australia's medical staff before joining the IPL. CA will also closely monitor his fitness as Australia has the World Test Championship final and the Ashes to follow after the IPL 2023 which ends on May 28.
Hazlewood will still need a medical clearance from Cricket Australia before he flies to India for the IPL.
“It’s a niggly one, the Achilles tendon. It’s a slow process but it thrives on a bit of work, and I’d have to be bowling to prepare for the Ashes, so it may as well be in a game of cricket,” Hazlewood said.
Hazlewood, who was picked by Royal Challengers at the 2022 mega auction for INR 7.75 crore, took 20 wickets in the 12 matches he played last season.
(PTI/ESPNCricinfo inputs)
