Ashes 2021-22: Australia Faces Injury Concerns To David Warner and Josh Hazlewood

Australia opening batsman David Warner is suffering from a rib injury after he was struck on the chest on the bowling of England all-rounder Ben Stokes. Warner didn’t come to the field during England’s second on days three and four of the first Test at the Gabba.

Hazlewood only bowled eight overs when England came out to bat on Friday as England amassed 220/2 at the end of day three. His last over of the innings was the 29th over and bowled his next six overs on Saturday.

England skipper won the toss and elected to bat first on the green surface. They go all out on a paltry total of 147 in 50.1 overs. Wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler (39) and Ollie Pope (35) were the first and second-highest run-getter respectively for their side. Australia skipper Pat Cummins registered his first five-for as a Test captain. Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood took two wickets each while all-rounder Cameron Green took his maiden Test scalp in the form of Pope.

In reply, the Pat Cummins-led side put up a mammoth total of 425 and took the lead of  278. Warner (94) and Marnus Labuschagne (74) scored half-centuries while Travis Head (152) scored his first Ashes hundred and third overall. Apart from them, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc contributed with the bat as he scored 35 runs and had a vital partnership of 85 runs with Head.

Trailing by 278 runs, England put up a fight with 220/2 on the board at the end of day three. Joe Root and Dawid Malan scored the fifties after their side lost both their openers Rory Burns (13) and Haseeb Hameed (27) cheaply.

Notably, Josh Hazlewood bowled only eight overs on Friday out of 70 overs bowled by his fellow bowlers. Shane Warne took note of the pacer’s long absence and said “Hazlewood only bowled eight overs, didn’t bowl in the last two and a half hours. Let’s hope he isn’t injured,” while commentating on Fox Cricket.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Aussie skipper has made it clear that Hazlewood and Warner will play the next game starting from December 16 in Adelaide.

Pat Cummins explained the injury statuses of Josh Hazlewood and David Warner

“He (Josh Hazlewood) was a little sore [on day three] so we tried to get him through,” Cummins said. “[It is] nothing too serious but we didn’t want it to turn into a huge injury.

“The key is we don’t want to put him in jeopardy for the whole series.

“He had a scan last night and there was nothing scary enough to not bowl today. We want to manage him a little bit.”

“Davey (David Warner) was available to bat. We just chose not to risk him,” the 28-year-old, said.

“When we had 20 to win we couldn’t find him. We looked everywhere in the stadium. I think he will be alright for Adelaide.”

With this win, Australia have taken the lead of 1-0 in the five-match series. They will play next in Adelaide which will be a day-night affair.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: ICC Fines England And Docks WTC Points For Slow Over Rate In Gabba Test