Josh Hazlewood, the injury-prone fast bowler, has been excluded from the Australian squad for the upcoming World Test Championship Final against India. For the past couple of months, Hazlewood has been hampered by an Achilles and a side injury, which he picked up during the IPL 2021. As a result, Michael Neser has been called on to fill the void.
Hazlewood’s Injury
Despite his best efforts in the training sessions at Formby and Beckenham, Josh Hazlewood has been unable to shake off his injury woes. George Bailey, the Chair of Selectors, acknowledged the severity of the situation, saying: “Josh was very, very close to being given the green light, but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule means this is not a one-off Test match for us.”
India’s Dilemma
With the WTC Final just days away, India are faced with a dilemma in their selection choices. They must decide whether to choose the experienced Ashwin, or the in-form Umesh Yadav. It is a crucial decision for the Indian team, who will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their performance in 2021.
Conclusion
Josh Hazlewood’s injury has come as a major blow to Australia’s chances in the World Test Championship Final. With Michael Neser drafted in as a replacement, India must now decide who to include in their playing XI. Follow the live updates of the match on InsideSport.IN, and stay up to date with all the news and analysis.