Australia in shock: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of entire BGT 2024-25

Veteran Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is ruled out of the third Test match against the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Josh Hazlewood, who returned to the playing XI, is likely to miss the remainder of the series due to a calf injury sustained during Day 4.

Hazlewood was forced to leave the field on Day 4 of the third Test due to a calf issue. He underwent scans to determine the severity of the injury. Hazlewood was not at his usual best while bowling. Before leaving with the Australian team's physio, he had a long discussion with Pat Cummins and Steve Smith.

Josh Hazlewood Likely to Miss Remainder of Test Series vs India

Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the rest of the third Test and is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the series due to a calf strain, as confirmed in a video shared by 7 Cricket on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Josh Hazlewood has sustained a right-sided calf strain which will prevent him from playing any further part in the Test match against India in Brisbane," Cricket Australia wrote in their official statement

"He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series. A squad replacement will be made in due course," a CA statement read.

Josh Hazlewood's calf strain will keep him out of the rest of the Test...

And he is likely to miss the remainder of the series 😮

(via @plalor) #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CdsZop4Pfx

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 17, 2024

Scott Boland Likely to Replace Hazlewood in Playing XI for Third Test

Hazlewood missed the second Test due to a recurring side injury that has affected him for a couple of years. He played only four Tests for Australia between December 2021 and June 2023. The fast bowler had to miss key Ashes games and the World Test Championship final against India.

Scott Boland replaced Hazlewood in the second Test, taking five wickets. However, he was later replaced by Hazlewood for the third Test of the series. Boland is likely to return to the playing XI for the third Test, which is set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on December 26.

Was Josh Hazlewood Fit Going Into This Game?" – Kerry O'Keeffe

Former Australia player Kerry O'Keeffe criticized the team's management for rushing Josh Hazlewood into the third Test. He questioned whether the pacer had fully recovered from an injury that had kept him out of the second Test. O'Keeffe stated that the team wanted to rest Hazlewood for the Melbourne Test.

“Trying to look at the Australian strategy, I think they had in mind that Hazlewood should play this and miss Melbourne. Melbourne is by a long way his worst pitch in Australia and then Starc miss Sydney, which is a long way his worst pitch in Australia. So, I think they factored in that Australia was going to play this one and that Boland, who loves the MCG would come in for Melbourne,” Kerry O’Keeffe told Fox Sports.

“And that may well be the case now anyway. The Boland numbers are irresistible. But questions will be asked, was he (Hazlewood) fit going into this game?” he asked.

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