After recovering from the Achilles injury, which kept him out of action for almost four months, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood played his first IPL 2023 game for Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1.

Overall, Hazlewood featured in only three matches and bowled nine overs for RCB this season. He flew back home early before their last game after reporting side soreness.

With Australia set to take on India in the WTC final next month followed by the Ashes, Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday (May 22) issued an update on the fitness of Hazlewood.

In a major relief for the right-arm quick, scans have revealed no damage and he has now returned to bowling as the Australian squad prepares to depart for the UK.

"Josh Hazlewood returned home from the IPL last weekend after experiencing minor side soreness after the completion of his most recent IPL match,” a CA spokesperson stated, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

"After a brief and precautionary rest period, Hazlewood returned to high-intensity bowling last week and will continue to increase his bowling workloads in preparation for the WTC and Ashes series. Hazlewood is considered fit and available for the WTC and Ashes Series," he added.

The World Test Championship final will be held at The Oval in London between June 7-11, while the Ashes series between Australia and India is due to get underway on June 16.