Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to play in the upcoming third Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting on Sunday, December 26.
Hazlewood had suffered a strain during the first Ashes Test at The Gabba, which ruled him out of the second Test in Adelaide, which Australia won by 275 runs to take a 2-0 lead. He didn’t bowl on the final day in Brisbane, where Australia beat England by 9 wickets.
However, Australia was hoping Hazlewood would return for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, but the pacer didn’t take part in the team's last full training session on Friday, December 24.
The national selectors gave him more time to recover from the side strain and return for the fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Well, Jhye Richardson joined Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins during Australia’s last full training session before the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, and Cameron Green said that Richardson is likely to retain his place in the playing XI against England on Sunday.
Green said of Hazlewood: “He’s going really well. He was doing his run-throughs today and he’s looking really good. I haven’t spoken to the guys for this game, but definitely lock him in for Sydney.”
He further said about Richardson: “I spoke to him today and he is good to go. He was so pumped after how he went in that second innings, as you would be, and he’s ready to go again.”
On his own fitness, Green said: “I was completely fine and ready to go. We were just in a really good position. Nathan Lyon was bowling beautifully from one end and then we’ve got three world-class pace bowlers to choose from. I wasn’t really required.”
He concluded, “They just thought we could get through the game without bowling me (in the second innings) and keep me a bit more fresh for this game. The boys bowled beautifully and credit to them.”
Notably, Michael Neser, who made his Test debut in the day-night Test and grabbed 2 wickets in Adelaide, will have to make way for Cummins, which means the Australian pace attack will be led by the skipper, Richardson, Green, and Mitchell Starc for the Boxing Day Test against England.
(With IANS Inputs)
