Josh Hazlewood to remain unavailable for the final Ashes Test 2022: Australia’s premier paceman Jos Hazlewood has been ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes test owing to his unfortunate side strain. The Aussie head coach Justin Langer confirmed the development and expected the pacer to make a comeback in the white ball series against New Zealand.
Josh Hazlewood was ruled out after Australia thumped England by nine wickets in the series opener in the Gaba. The speedster was hopeful to make his return in any of the last two test matches, however, he hasn’t posed himself completely fit which unfortunately ends Hazlewood’s stint at the Ashes 2021-22.
Josh’s injury would be a blessing in disguise for Scott Boland, who will retain his place in Australia’s playing11 in the final Ashes Test.
“Unfortunately Josh hasn’t come up, hopefully, he’ll be right for the white-ball games,” Australian head coach Justin Langer said.
“It’s been really tough on him, he has been really hanging out to play in this Ashes series like everyone. He has missed three games, so to have one of our premier fast bowlers out of the series, I guess it is a bit like England missing one of their premier fast bowlers (in Jofra Archer) – we’ve missed big Josh,” he added.
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The final test of the ongoing Ashes is scheduled to be held in Bellerive Oval, Hobart, starting January 14.
Meanwhile, England has further damaged their chances to avoid the complete whitewash as two of their premier wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow have sustained blows. Despite suffering injury, Bairstow’s gritty innings fetched England’s first hundred in the ongoing Ashes.
The two stumper batsman haven’t assumed their wicketkeeping duties. Ollie Pope is keeping the wickets for the remainder of the Sydney Test.
Also, England has called in Sam Billings as the cover of two injured wicketkeepers for the final test. Billings was plying his trade for the Sydney Thunder in the ongoing Big Bash League.
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