- The Aussies are losing a bowler
- Trying to claim wickets amid rain delays
- It could open the door again for Scott Boland
Josh Hazlewood will undergo scans for a sore calf after managing just one on the fourth morning of the third Test in Brisbane before leaving the field.
Having overcome a side strain to face India at the Gabba, Hazlewood felt pain in his calf on Tuesday morning.
Team medical staff say Hazlewood first experienced “consciousness” in his calf while warming up for day four, which led him to remain off the field for the start of the game.
He remained absent for two overs, before coming in and bowling just before the first drinks break.
The seamer was noticeably off pace in that over, with his first delivery an unusual long bounce that KL Rahul sent to the point boundary.
By the time the drinks were taken, Hazlewood was in deep discussion with captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and the Australian team’s physiotherapist, before leaving the field.
The Australians have lost Josh Hazlewood to injury in their attack in the Brisbane Test
Scott Boland appears as Hazlewood’s replacement for the Boxing Day test if the seamer fails to recover in time
Cricket Australia has since confirmed that scans will be carried out to assess the issue.
Any injury to Hazlewood could have serious ramifications for the rest of the series.
Australia is wasting the opportunity to win the continuation against India in Brisbane, as rain washed away a significant part of the game.
That is likely to leave Mitch Marsh needing to bowl more overs than expected, having battled his own injury problems this summer.
Scott Boland would emerge as Hazlewood’s replacement if he misses any further Tests, having replaced him in Adelaide.
But any strain on the workload of Cummins, Starc or Marsh could mean Australia have to blood a debutant, with Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett and Beau Webster part of extended squads this summer.
A one-week gap is planned between the Brisbane and Melbourne tests, with just three days separating the finish at the MCG and the start in Sydney.
Hazlewood has battled lateral strain issues in the past, and similar injuries are largely responsible for him only playing three Tests between late January 2021 and early June 2023.
The quick had bowled five overs on Monday for Australia without any problems, before Tuesday’s concern.