'Tough to put a timeline': Josh Hazlewood on Ashes comeback
What's the story
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has revealed that he is targeting a return in the latter part of the ongoing Ashes series. The fast bowler is currently recovering from a right hamstring injury, which he sustained during a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales (NSW). Despite missing out on the opening Test and being excluded from Australia's unchanged squad for the day-night second Test at Gabba, there are signs of his potential return later in the series.
Recovery update
Hazlewood's recovery progress and future plans
Hazlewood has been practicing with a red ball in the nets this week, raising hopes of his return later in the series. "It's coming along slowly. I'll have another bowl today; I just started the other day. Running and everything's going well," he said at SCG on Friday. However, he admitted that it's hard to predict an exact timeline for his return, saying "it's probably tough to put a timeline on it."
Series prediction
Hazlewood's hopes for Ashes series outcome
Hazlewood also expressed his hopes for the outcome of the Ashes series by the time he returns. "Hopefully it's not still in the balance, hopefully we're on top by then," he said. His comments come as Australia has retained an unchanged squad for the second Test, despite his absence due to injury.
Captain's condition
Hazlewood comments on Cummins's fitness
Hazlewood also spoke about fellow fast bowler and Australian captain Pat Cummins, who was training strongly for a possible return for the Brisbane Test. "He's been ticking a lot of boxes the last few weeks. I saw him bowl on Tuesday with the pink ball, everything was going pretty good," Hazlewood said. Cummins had trained strongly at SCG on Friday, bowling at what appeared to be full speed for over an hour with a pink ball. However, he wasn't picked up for the second Test.