Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood is hopeful of being fit for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, scheduled to begin on Saturday in Brisbane.
Hazlewood was sidelined with a side strain and missed Australia’s dominant 10-wicket win in Adelaide that leveled the five-match series at 1-1 and boosted their hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final from 2023-25.
The 32-year-old was tested in Adelaide on Monday, with the aim of proving his fitness ahead of the next test.
He admitted that his recovery would depend on how his body responded over the next 24 hours.
“I think that’s how I’ll recover over the next 24 hours,” Hazlewood said.
“It’s just that repetitive (action) and obviously two spells make a big difference.
“Cool down completely and then come back on the same day, and the intensity also has to be up there.
“So a few boxes to tick, but it’s probably the next 24 hours and stopping again the next day and then thinking ‘yes, I’d be right to go again if I had to’.”
If Hazlewood regains fitness in time for the Test, it could mean a reshuffle in Australia’s bowling attack.
Despite Scott Boland’s impressive performance in Adelaide, where he took five wickets in his two innings, he could pave the way for Hazlewood’s return to the XI.
Both players are expected to travel to Brisbane ahead of the Gabba Test.
Australia’s record at the Gabba has been inconsistent, with two defeats in the last four Tests at the venue, including a three-wicket defeat to India in the most recent encounter there.
However, the right-hand pacer remains confident that his team can adapt and continue their good form, particularly with the return to red-ball cricket.
“We always played very well in Brisbane (but) the last Test was obviously pink ball,” Hazlewood noted.
“The pink ball is quite soft in Brisbane right from the start, with the wicket being quite hard, it doesn’t have that grass that we see here in Adelaide.
“So we’re back to red ball, which I think suits us.
“Obviously we haven’t won there recently, but it’s a place we like to play as it suits our players.
“It’s an experienced team, so we’ve all been there many times.
“It’s probably more just the time difference — going from day to night and sleeping in — to your sleep patterns and adjusting them and getting back on track.”
