Australia skipper Pat Cummins believes pacer Josh Hazlewood will require one-two weeks to recover from his injury. Hazlewood has picked up a side strain that has put him on the bench and puts him at risk of missing out on the first Test match in the upcoming Test Series against South Africa.
Australia is currently playing the second match of the two-match Test series against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval. Hazlewood, who was to play the pink-ball contest, was replaced by Michael Neser in the playing XI.
The Aussie captain is optimistic that the injury to Josh Hazlewood is short-term and returns to the playing field against the Proteas.
“It’s not a huge one, it’s in a weird spot. Hopefully it’s not too long; hopefully, it’s only one or two weeks. We all feel for Joshy (Josh Hazlewood). Cricket’s a funny thing, we play five Tests within five or six weeks and that’s the whole Test home summer. We’ll see how it tracks but hopefully, it’s a short one (injury),” told the skipper on SEN.
“I was really close to getting out there” – Pat Cummins on his return
Pat Cummins had ruled himself out from the second Test against the West Indies and the mantle of captaincy will be looked after by Steve Smith. The 29-year-old suffered a quad strain during the opening Test in Perth
“I was really close to getting out there but it was a bit too high risk to take into a Test match. I’ll probably start bowling in the next day or two to make sure I’m right for the Gabba (Test),” added Pat Cummins.
After the two-match West Indies Test series, Australia will face South Africa in a three-match Test series scheduled to begin on December 17.
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